 I should have been taking a ride on Cliff Hanger today during Leeds United's annual trip to the Flamingo Land theme park. Instead I was clearing my desk at the club after stepping off the roller-coaster of football management. It had long been agreed by myself and the owners that there was no point in my staying on at Elland Road if it became clear Leeds would not get into the play-offs. Monday's unfortunate defeat to Derby County left us eight points adrift with six matches remaining, so we both knew it was time for a change. Now they can get on with planning for next season. Obviously, I had hoped to be leaving on a happier note. It has been a frustrating season, one which, with the Championship so tight, could have been very different with a bit of luck here and there, and a few more players. But I leave with some happy memories, of victories over clubs like Tottenham and Everton, and wish Leeds all the best. It is a club with massive potential and I'm sure the new owners will back the new manager. As for myself, you never know what is round the corner in football. I have a book about football management to finish and promote when it comes out in June. I have also been in talks about doing some work in the media and corporate sector. I expect I'll be popping up as a TV pundit too. But I am not finished with football management. After more than 30 years in the dugout I have come to realise there is a need at many clubs for someone who can act as a link between managers and owners. This is especially the case with so many owners coming into football, often from abroad, with limited experience of the game, as happened at my last two clubs, QPR and Leeds. However successful someone is in their field of business, and however well-meaning and hard-working, it is difficult to come into football and immediately work out how the industry works, who to trust, what to do. That is the sort of role I think I can fill. I don't mean a director of football, but a consultant who can bridge the massive gap between boards and the manager but who is not a threat to the manager. Most managers last less than two years now, which is a terrible waste of talent and money. They need help, someone who can act as a buffer and a sounding board, but does not want to take their job. Not that I am saying I will never manage again. I want to spend more time with my family and, since we live in Cornwall, that rules out most long-term options. But I can envisage myself in a Red Adair role, putting out fires, going into a club for a few months in the second half of a season and keeping them up, or maybe finishing off a promotion campaign after their manager has been poached. What Colin Said 1-4-2013 - It is a good time now to put someone in until the end of the season "We are not going to get in the play-offs now. It is no good saying mathematically we can. It is a good time now to put someone in until the end of the season. "I would recommend that they put someone in temporary until the end of the season and then look to the future; I think that is the best way forward for the club. "I have done the best I can and I am disappointed I couldn`t get us into the play-offs." What Colin Said 16-3-2013 - Realistically we're running out of games “Realistically we’re running out of games and (the owners) GFH know my situation, I speak to them on a regular basis,” the 64-year-old said. “Once we’re out of contention for the Premier League they know I won’t be having another year in the Championship. “They’ve got to look after themselves really. We’ve spoken about my successor, about people coming in if mathematically it’s impossible to get into the play-offs. “I’d like to think that I’d have an input on that because the job we’ve done over the last 12 months, the staff and I, I think is fantastic. “Yes I’m frustrated because we just lack that bit of quality, a bit of midfield creativity and a bit of pace. “We’ve sorted everything else out, but haven’t been able to sort that out and it catches up with you.” "I’m obviously disappointed, but I can’t fault the players, they put everything in. “We’ve had so many opportunities now over the last six to eight weeks to be 10 or 12 points better off. “The problem is we’re always chasing the points to get back in there. It almost felt like a fatal defeat today because of the points situation. “I’d love to come in and blame the players, but they’re a great bunch, they couldn’t give me more.” What Colin Said 10-3-2013 - I don't think I'd want another year in the Championship "I don't think I'd want to do another year in the Championship," "A few weeks ago we had a few bad results and I got a bit of stick and I don't really need that to be honest. What I've done over the last 10 months at Leeds has been very difficult. "I've had three new owners now in three clubs. It's hard work when you're bringing new owners in. I've had to change the whole squad, I've had new owners coming in and I think the time has come. "For a lot of managers, football is everything to them and while I love football I think there comes a time for family. William has had five schools and there comes a point where the kids can't go any more. "We're at that stage now. We've got a lovely house in Cornwall and I love living there, so I think it's important to have your priorities. "You wonder where you're going to get the buzz - like when we beat Tottenham in the FA Cup - but there will be other days when your stomach is churning and you wake up at 1am, 3am and 5am wondering who's going to play, who's going to be injured. "You think of that one good moment, but it's not all a bed of roses." "Since 1968, so that's 45 years, I haven't had a Christmas or a summer holiday and I want to do certain things. "I still want to get involved and I think there's a space for someone between the board and the manager who's not a threat, but I only want to do a couple of days a week - and in commuting distance from Cornwall. "I've got one or two ideas on going into the media side as well, but I want a bit of time. I had a great holiday in Venice with Sharon a few months ago and four days seemed like four years. You forget about things like that when you're managing." "If we didn't get it this year, I think we'll definitely get promotion next year," . "We should have 10 more points, but I don't write us off yet. We've got 10 games left, we're playing well, we've got a great bunch of lads and there's not a bad apple in the squad. "If you've got a good dressing room you've got a hell of a chance and we've got six games at home out of the 10. "You can't write us off when there's 30 points at stake in this league." What Colin Said 22-2-2013 - I do enjoy the cut and thrust “I do fancy helping a younger manager out or something like that. An in-between. “I do not think there is much liaison between a board of directors and managers. I think it is them and us, but there is an opportunity for me to use experience, without me screaming at referees and linesmen. “I will still keep my hand out and come out every January until May to keep a team up. “I will be a Red Adair of football. I won’t be able to leave it. I’ve got quite a bit of media stuff to do, but I do enjoy the cut and thrust.” What Colin Said 20-2-2013 - Warnock Post Blackpool What Colin Said 15-2-2013 - If you look at the clubs I’ve left, are they in a worse position now? “People like Roberto Mancini, and I’m not being disrespectful, they need financial support, Like [Jose] Mourinho and all them, I don’t think they could manage at Leeds in the current climate, or manage anywhere else other than the top of the top level. That’s the way they are. “Mind you, I don’t think I’d be able to cope if we did a job swap. I only had six months in the Premier League [at QPR] with the current crop of players and I didn’t enjoy that at all. “I don’t envy Roberto in his job dealing with 11-12 world-class players who think they should all be in the side and agents who think their players should be in the side. “They’ve got two teams. That’s a major issue to deal with for managers like that. I wouldn’t enjoy it at all. Good luck to him. If he loses his job at City, it’s not like he’ll be short of offers or money.” “They’re under pressure because they’re in second place in the league, They’re not going to win the league. They’ve come across the maestro that is Sir Alex Ferguson. “He’s the only difference because they’re way above the rest of the pack and if it wasn’t for Ferguson they would be right in it. The lesson is that you don’t ruffle his feathers by winning the league, that’s what they’ve found out.” “It’s frustrating for me when, probably the fans don’t realise I’ve been here just a year this week, It’s as tough a job as I’ve ever had. I don’t warrant getting stick, but every manager gets it. “Even at Sheffield United when we were winning, there’d be 300 or 400 always wanting a change. But be careful what you wish for. If you look at the clubs I’ve left, are they in a worse position now?” What Colin Said 12-2-2013 - I think we've had a good season "Unless I run on the pitch and put the chances, I don't know what to do,". "It's frustrating. The last three open goals (in games against Cardiff, Wolves and Middlesbrough) are not difficult chances. I thought Middlesbrough were there for the beating. "We had a great opportunity to take the lead and don't know how we didn't take it. We should be talking about three wins and be right in there." "Its a natural thing. If we'd have taken that first chance they would have been chanting our names. It disappoints me when I see some of the comments (about Becchio) but you can only do your best as a manager. I think we've had a good season." What Colin Said 8-2-2013 - The fans know they get what they see with me “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think we could get promotion and I still think there’s an opportunity for a late spurt. These last few weeks we’ve got more consistent. “My future will be decided on the football field. All I can do is get promotion and that’s not changed in my eyes. “It’s a bit more difficult because with the automatic promotion situation we’re really looking at the play-offs. Until it’s mathematically impossible, that’s what I’m going to do. “The next five or six games will give us a good idea. They’re tough games coming up and we can have another conversation like this in a month’s time. “They (GFH Capital) know what I want to do. A lot depends on what we do. I want to get promotion and they know that. They’ve been very supportive.” “The fans know they get what they see with me,” “There’s not any fudging of the situation. When we don’t play so well everyone probably wishes we had a new manager but sometimes you’ve got to be careful what you wish for.” What Colin Said 7-2-2013 - It's not been the ideal week “It’s not been the ideal week, We’ve had players away and a few who couldn’t get to training on Tuesday because of the weather so I’m going to have to keep my options open. “Ross has got the symptoms of ’flu and we’ll need to see how he is but he’s going to be touch and go. As for the others who’ve been away, you never know how they are until they’re back through the door. Players take a lot of pride in international call-ups and rightly so but for a manager it’s a worry. “But we’ve got to cope with that and ride whatever difficulties we’ve got because the games ahead of us are important. We’ve played really well in our last two games but we lost to Cardiff on Saturday and that was hard to take. I don’t think I’ve been more disappointed by a result all season. “It’s Wolves on Saturday and Middlesbrough on Tuesday – two tough games but two games we must get results from. That’s the situation we’re in.” On Cardiff “That’s what’s so disappointing about it,” Warnock said. “We wasted a chance to beat the team who are top of the division and we can’t afford to throw points away. “We’ve lost a game we shouldn’t have lost and you could see how up for it the players were. They put a lot of effort into dominating Cardiff and one mistake by Sam cost us. He’s had a great season and everyone makes mistakes but he has to learn from that mistake. He’s a defender first and foremost and it wasn’t even like he was in that difficult a situation. “The ball was there to be cleared properly and the top players make the right decisions in those circumstances. It’s something we’ll be speaking about.” “The players should be pleased with how they played against Cardiff and Spurs before that but we haven’t done it away from home in the league for a long time, right back to the Huddersfield game. It’s something we need to change. “There have been reasons for a few of the results. Key players were missing at Hull, and at Barnsley I thought Luciano Becchio had a bad day up front which put us under the cosh. “But there’s no one thing that makes us easier to beat away from home than we are at home. I just think you go through spells sometimes, a bit like we did at Elland Road last season.” What Colin Said 4-2-2013 - we've got a tough month ahead “Every game is crucial for us now and we’ve got a tough month ahead so it’s extra disappointing not to have taken anything from Cardiff. We should have something. I hope we don’t play as well at Wolves and win. “But I don’t see any reason why we can’t play like this away from home now. We turned the corner at Birmingham and we haven’t played away since but we’ll create chances and score goals. We’ve got three away games now which couldn’t come much tougher – Wolves, Middlesbrough then Manchester City in the cup.” What Colin Said 2-2-2013 - it is a cruel game sometimes “It is a cruel game sometimes. Everything about today was cruel,” . “We missed open goals and the young lad (Byram) made a schoolboy error. I thought Mike Dean was brilliant but he didn’t see the handball, when we all appealed, because he was in a bad position and should have been in a better one. “He had three or four bodies in the way. The linesman could have helped him out, but they don’t, do they. Then there was another handball in the 93rd minute that wasn’t given. “Our two centre-halves were magnificent, we played some good stuff against the top-of-the-table team and were better than them, so it’s very frustrating that we got nothing.” What Colin Said 1-2-2013 - The Burke deal is now dead until the summer 'We did make a substantial offer for Chris. 'I believe that both us and Forest offered the same amount, but I thought that Birmingham's valuation was very high for a player who is out of contract at the end of the season. 'That would have been the icing on the cake to get all my targets" 'I spoke with Jerome Thomas on deadline day as well. He's gone to Blackburn and fair play to him. They've paid a good fee for him and he's on good Premier League wages there. He's probably on more than he was at West Brom," "The Burke deal is now dead until the summer. 'I had said that I was looking to bring a wide man in, and we'll have a look when the loan market re-opens and see where we are and what we need.' What Colin Said 31-1-2013 - Leeds Utd manager Neil Warnock tells BBC Radio Leeds he is delighted to land his number one target Norwich City's Steve Morison. BBC Radio Norfolk commentator Chris Goreham reveals his thoughts on the Wales international. What Colin Said 27-1-2013 - I might even treat myself to a bag of crisps "I'll probably open a bottle of champagne and have a few little tipples,". "I'm sure I'll be able to do something like that. I might even treat myself to a bag of crisps." "We've had negative press on some of the results lately and yet we've won six on the trot at home (now seven),". "But in Leeds the glass is always half empty, it's never half full in Leeds. That might be a Yorkshire trait." What Colin Said 25-1-2013 - Our Targets are the Same With or Without Him “Nothing changes in that respect, as our targets are the same with or without him,”. “There won’t be anyone in until after the Spurs game as the deadline has passed for the Cup. But we are working very hard towards 11pm on Thursday night. By then, we will know. I can’t say any more than that.” “You are always going to get speculation. “I have just got to wait until we have actually got someone in the building and then announce it. If I said yes or no (to Gradel or Warnock) then I’d be doing that all morning with different names. “The transfer window is something I can only talk about up to today, but it goes for 31 days. “That is just as well because it seems to be the last day which is the most interesting one of the lot. I expect there’ll be a lot of activity late on.” “With the experience I have had, I will know more over the next 24 hours as to whether Luciano is able to play. “But I thought we did brilliant at Birmingham (when Becchio did not play), if I am honest.” “We offered a three-and-a-half year contract that is the best we have offered anyone since I arrived. That is all you can do as a club. “I have had a chat with him and what I said remains private. Luciano was a late starter in football and he has been told figures that he will get from abroad. Those figures could give him security for life. I’d imagine that’s how he’s looking at it. “But come Thursday night and if we have not accepted an offer, he gets on with it. What I will say is that if he stays after the deadline then I hope that I get more out of him. He has not played very well lately, but I understand that. I had never had a problem before Christmas. “He even tells me how much he is enjoying it. He’s got more goals in half a season than he gets in an entire season usually. “Luciano appreciates what I have done for him this season so I don’t have any problem with him. Once the deadline has gone, whatever has been going on will be put to bed until the summer. “He won’t be going anywhere on loan so the next five or six days will answer all those questions.” On Leeds vs Spuds “I didn’t really enjoy the second half against Chelsea, although in the first half we were superb. Spurs, at the moment, are a better side than Chelsea. “They are more fluent and far more solid, but we have got to give them a game. I don’t want us to sit back and get beaten. I want us to have a go at them. “It won’t be easy, though, as Spurs really are an excellent team. When you see them get 61 per cent of the ball against Manchester United (in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane), you realise what you are up against. “I didn’t see a weakness in them last weekend. They are playing with freedom and they are relaxing now that (manager) Andre Villas-Boas has got his feet under the table. I think they’ll be pushing the top two soon. “If you look at their team from 1 to 11, they have everything that I look for in a team: pace, power, strength and entertainers.” “Tottenham have always been a glamorous club and this is a glamorous team. It whets the appetite.” What Colin Said 19-1-2013 - For me, the glass should be half full, not half empty “I thought if anyone was going to score today it was Ross,”. “It was a cracking goal, he deserved it and he covered lots of ground. He was a fraction away from putting one in at the end of the first half and looked very sharp.” “We knew it would be hard work because they have a new manager and are fighting for their lives. “We got a grip at half-time and were a lot more positive in the second half. “Tom Lees and Lee Peltier were fabulous at the back for us. Unfortunately, you can’t please everyone, even when you have won six in a row in the league at home. “For me, the glass should be half full, not half empty.” What Colin Said 18-1-2013 - I think the hardcore fans are totally behind us “Over the years I’ve had one or two interesting jobs that haven’t been easy, I’d put this in that category. “I’ve had more takeovers than just about any other manager, three out of the last three clubs I’ve been at, and to keep the ship here sailing as it is isn’t an easy job. “There’s a lot more involved than people realise and that’s why I always say that all you can do is your best. “But I think it needed someone with my experience to steady the waters here. I don’t know how a younger manager would have coped with everything. “All managers are expected to deliver. It goes with the territory. But all you can do is your best. “That’s what I set out to do this season. I can honestly say that it hasn’t been one of my easiest jobs but it’s one I wouldn’t have resisted. “It’s a fabulous club and I still think the majority of supporters are behind me. You always get a few who aren’t but that’s only natural. “They’ve had so many promises over the years and they’re frustrated.” “Let’s be honest, if you went to Barnsley and then paid to go to a cup tie at Birmingham, that takes real hardcore fans. I think the hardcore fans are totally behind us and 1,500 turning out on a night like that deserved a pat on the back. It was great to get a result for them.” “I don’t want to give any speculation. We’re trying to get the targets and we’ll have to see. The January window’s a nightmare because you just don’t know what’s around the corner. “I saw that bad injury to Tottenham’s midfielder (Sandro). He’s had a cruciate operation. They were going to do two or three deals with midfielders going out but they may have to rethink and keep another one now. You never know in the window. “We’ve shown in a lot of games that we can beat anybody but we’ve also shown that we can lose to anybody. The consistency at the top of the league means we are where we are and that’s why we’re looking for two or three players to move us up towards the better clubs. That’s what I’d like.” What Colin Said 17-1-2013 - You either like me or loathe me “Everyone’s pulling together and I spoke to the new owners before the game on Tuesday. We’re all pulling in the right direction. “We just need more results and one or two more bodies in. “I don’t think I should say too much and if I said the owners had given me the vote of confidence then that would be the end of it. But we did have a laugh about that. “They’ve been very supportive and they were very supportive on Saturday night. “They didn’t have to do it but they spoke to me on Saturday and gave me words of encouragement. They’ll be pleased with the result (at Birmingham).” “All fans are fickle at every club, but if I saw the way we played on Saturday and I’d paid for that, I’d have slaughtered the team and the manager. You can’t fault the supporters for that and it hasn’t happened to me very often in my career. “I’m not sure I liked one or two fans having a go at Michael Brown and Luke Varney. That’s football but it disappoints me. You should get behind the team if they’re playing well. “But the fans in general are fantastic and I haven’t had a problem with them from day one. “The majority of them know what a difficult job I’ve had here. All I can do is my best. You either like me or loathe me and that’s true of managers at most clubs around the country but the majority of Leeds fans are fantastic. They know what I’m doing and they support me. “I’m in the game for nights like Tuesday. It doesn’t get any better than that, when you think about the pressure we were under and the way we played on Saturday. “I love proving people wrong when you’ve been kicked in the teeth. It’s much easier to lie down.” “We’ve been asked to give targets and we’ve given our targets,” . “We’ll have to wait and see what happens. Shaun Harvey’s in charge of that side of things so we’ll see over the next couple of weeks who we bring in. We’re trying. “There’s nobody available and nobody wants to sell anybody, but you have to tempt them with players, cash or whatever – usually cash.” “I talked to him (Becchio) on Monday but the thing is, all through the transfer window you’re going to get agents doing what they do and not just with Luciano. That’s how it is. It’s horrible for managers.” I can’t tell you anything other than what I know. I’ve spoken to the owners about it and in due course we’ll probably speak about it again.” What Colin Said 14-1-2013 - At this moment I have had no bids for any of the players "We are at a time of the season when agents are getting into players ears, but it cannot affect performances. It is difficult for the staff to carry on if players have had their heads turned. "You cannot tell me that players were focused on the game on Saturday. "They should be focused, they are all employed by Leeds United and nobody should be allowing it to affect their performances. "I am disappointed with one or two of the agents, but I suppose that is their jobs in January to unsettle players and get their pay off. "I have had a word with one or two of the players, not just Luciano. It is a busy time of the year and the sooner the window closes the better. "I have told Luciano that he has to put the effort in because we have supported him. He has scored 17 goals this season, so I think we have done our share so he must repay that. I think the fans deserve a performance from him and I think the FA Cup is a great place for him to start. "I have no idea if he wants to leave but it is his agent that is talking to people at the moment, it is a very difficult period for us all. "At this moment I have had no bids for any of the players." What Colin Said 12-1-2013 - You can't blame the fans “We were very poor in the first half and if I had have been one of the 5,000, I might have said what they were,”. “I thought we had some great chances at the start of the second half and then there was a horrendous tackle from (Stephen) Dawson. How that’s not a red card I don’t know.” “You can’t blame the fans... they pay their money. “But I think I’m doing a great job if I’m honest and with one or two additions that I’ve got lined up... I understand their disappointment, but we know we need to strengthen.” What Colin Said 11-1-2013 - Our position's frustrating “We’ve given ourselves an opportunity to make a push in the second half of the season. “We don’t want to be languishing in mid-table and going on about consolidation. We want to get in there. But it’s a massive ask and we do need to be a little bit lucky in the next couple of weeks. “We’ve got to be better away from home, without a shadow of a doubt, but we got a battering at Hull and quite a lesson at Derby yet we’re above Derby in the table. “We’re also above Blackburn, Wolves and Bolton and all of them had parachute payments. When you listen to some of what’s been said, you’d think we were bottom of the league. “Yes, our position’s frustrating because we could quite easily have been up there but it’s not like it’s a situation we can’t turn around. “We’ve learned about each other now and if we could have a free run without injuries and bring in players who can win a game or turn a game then I don’t see why we can’t push on.” What Colin Said 10-1-2013 - We're focused on players coming in, not players going out “We’re focused on players coming in, not players going out, I can’t stop speculation and I’m seeing plenty of it but the new owners have been very clear with me – nobody will be going from here unless I say so. “They’ve given me complete control over that and the decision on any offers we get is entirely down to me. I know where I stand and we haven’t had any offers anyway. “I said before the window opened that we need to build on what’s here and that’s the priority for me and the owners.” What Colin Said 1-1-2013 - Getting players is not straightforward “Getting players is not straightforward. “I’ve already (enquired) about two of my targets and I was told there was no chance of their clubs letting them go. That shows how difficult it is. But we’ll keep plugging away. “We’ve extended Tate’s deal until January 27. That gives Alan and ourselves an opportunity to see what’s what, and if we’re both happy then I’m sure he’ll stop until the end of the season. It gives us some breathing space. “With Jerome, we aren’t too far away but one or two other clubs are sniffing at him.” On Bolton “In the circumstances I couldn’t be any prouder of the lads. “We lost Luke Varney and Jerome Thomas overnight to a virus. Paddy Kenny came off and couldn’t even move and Ross McCormack and Paul Green were struggling. To put that sort of effort in when you have problems like we did, I can’t praise them enough. “It wasn’t a classic game but we showed great desire. In the first half we were a bit nervous but when you’ve had a drubbing like we had at Hull on Saturday, it knocks the stuffing out of you. I thought we deserved the win on the second half. On paper, Bolton have a far better team but you don’t win games on paper. “The first thing you need to be successful is 11 lads working their socks off. Then you’ve got a chance. We do need a bit more quality here and there but as a manager I can’t ask any more than they’ve given me. I’m right proud of them.” What Colin Said 29-12-2012 - I feel the frustration that the fans feel with our squad “I think Hull are a one-off, I don’t think there’s another team like them in the league,”. “They are by far the best organised team in the league, they play the same home and away. They have a good squad with decent replacements. “I feel the frustration that the fans feel with our squad, but we’re all glad it’s January coming up. I’m trying to get new players in, the new owners are supporting me and want to bring players in. “Whatever we do, we’re not going to cope with Hull and Cardiff, but looking at the other teams, we don’t have much to fear. We need to get our own house in order. “Hull are where they are and I can’t see many overtaking them. They play with one up front and have a desire, they don’t give goals away and they have a good recipe for success.” What Colin Said 27-12-2012 - Pole axed “I hope Tom learns from the penalty incident. I know that when the ball gets played in there, Billy Sharp’s going to go down pole-axed and play for a penalty. He should know the same. “He should be hands-off and a yard away from him. He’s not touched him and you can see that when you watch the replays but he doesn’t need to touch him. Twenty out of 20 refs will give the penalty so we can’t complain. “You don’t give him an opportunity to dive because he’s going to dive. That was the only way they were going to get back into the game. We’ve been mugged just before half-time and the seven minutes after half-time were like Christmas.” “It’s professionalism. If you watch it in slow motion, Tom breathes on him. “But I’ve known Billy a long time and I don’t blame him. He always used to get penalties for me at Sheffield United. I know that if the ball comes into him he’s not going to go past anybody. The slightest chance, he’s going to get a penalty.” It’s given them a Christmas present. “I’m disappointed that we haven’t won the match but you can’t give three goals away in seven minutes. It’s ludicrous. You’ll never win any game at any level doing that. But I can’t have a go at the lads either. They’ve won five out of six before this.” “He needs to get games and he needs to get fitter. He’s an important player for us and I wanted to play him.” What Colin Said 2312-2012 "I don't think we will lose anybody that we will want to keep" “I don’t think we will lose anybody that we will want to keep. I can guarantee that while I am in charge and they (GFH) are in charge, there will be no key players leaving here – unless we want them to leave. “There will be no one going from here unless we agree to it because we need every good player. We want to look upwards, not downwards or sideways. “It’s not just Becchio, either. If I was a Premier League manager, I would be looking at three or four of these players. “I can answer the phone (to Premier League managers) but I know what I will say and I don’t think the new owners will mind me saying that.” “I bet in a third of the games Luciano has not even played very well. He has had poor games so imagine if he’d got some consistency going. I keep telling him that. “He surprises me but I know that when he plays well, we play well. But there are days like Derby (when Leeds lost 3-1 on December 8), where if you look at the metres he covered, it was an embarrassment. “The two strikers at Derby, Ross (McCormack) and Luciano were very poor. The statistics showed that one of Derby’s lads was doing more than those two put together. That can’t happen.” “If anything happened to Becchio, where do we go? “We need competition in that area. In most other areas we are covered. I have been speaking to them (new owners) for quite a number of weeks. I have told them what I think and I think they trust me totally.” “I will get the support I need, but it is also a case of whether we are able to get the players. “Teams want to hang on to good players and can make it difficult when you try to sign them. “You never know who else might start looking either. We’ve got to have a bit of luck that the clubs where we go looking for players let us do it.” What Colin Said 8-12-2012 "How Hendrick did not get a red card I will never, ever know," he said. "It's a horrendous challenge, it's a career threatening challenge and to get a yellow card for that, I do not understand the game. "They're even saying Ryan Hall got up quickly, as if that's a crime. What do we tell them to do, stay down and roll around? It was bad at the time but it's even worse when you watch it again. "I thought we were poor for the first half hour but we withstood that and I didn't think they could improve, but I thought we could be 100 per cent better in the second half and I thought we were. "The second goal was always going to be the winner today and we couldn't quite manage it. You need the rub of the green at times but it would have been entirely different with 10 men." What Colin Said 7-12-2012 “The difference is our confidence. We’re going into games thinking we can win. That’s the difference. We go into the game tomorrow as confidence as we can be. “In the past it was a case of ‘how will we turn up? Will it be the good team or the bad team?’ We’ve seen such a contrast this season but as a manager you’ve got to focus on what the strengths of your team are and how you can add to that. “The two new players coming in (loanees Jerome Thomas and Alan Tate) was like finishing the jigsaw puzzle. We just needed a couple of pieces to set everything else off. It showed not just in the training sessions but in the Crystal Palace game too. “That was pivotal and we then took on our poor record on Tuesday nights against the best squad in the league (Leicester City). Then we went to Huddersfield. All the doom and gloom moments had written us off but that’s when you’re at your most dangerous in the Championship - when you’re written off.” “It doesn’t take a lot in Leeds, You lose three and it’s doom and gloom. Win three and everything’s rosy. That’s how it is because Leeds United are the only club in town. “But as a manager you take a backwards step and look at the whole picture. There are reasons why we’re doing well now and I knew that we’d do well if we put the jigsaw together. “We’re getting players back and we’re not far off a full squad. Suspended players are back as well and that gives us a choice. It’s what we’ve wanted all along - a bench which lets you change a game.” What Colin Said 1-12-2012 “It comes very high on the list”. “Especially away from home in a derby. They dominated the first 15 to 20 minutes but we got back into it then and I thought: ‘Ok, let’s play now’ and after that we were very good. “We dominated the second half and played some good football really. The boys have been on fire all week and we hoped they wouldn’t leave it on the training ground. “The finishing has been out of this world in training and you could see that. To see it in a game was great, sometimes I had to look twice.” "He's (Becchio) done well this week. It's amazing what he can do when he sets his mind to it. One or two of my friends from other clubs say when Becchio plays, you seem to play. "We've got a better team now to give him the ball in areas he wants to be, but he hasn't always performed to the best of his ability and it's a shame that. "But hopefully the penny's dropped and he can continue in that form." What Colin Said 27-11-2012 What Colin Said 18-11-2012 - Referees aren't as consistent - they've gone backwards "I thought we were very short-changed. I thought we did all right in the circumstances - we tried to win the game. At half-time we changed it a bit and it lasted two minutes. "The amount of effort that's gone into the game and we're talking about a refereeing decision - it's scandalous. "When you watch the sending off again, we don't have thousands of Millwall fans screaming at us. It's not caught him where he's holding when he's gone down. "I wish we did it more - you might call it cheating, but I've seen Adam Drury get topped and keep going. He should go down and roll, shouldn't he? We don't get free-kicks, and we wonder why. "Referees aren't as consistent - they've gone backwards, I think. I didn't think someone of Mark Halsey's quality and experience would have gone straight for his red card, and I think he'll be disappointed when he sees it, but that will do us no good. "I'm looking forward to the next few games - I think we can start with 11 men, can't we?" What Colin Said 10-11-2012 - I’m not devastated about the game but I am about Rudy “I’m not devastated about the game but I am about Rudy, he has broken is leg in two places. We had made the subs and I wasn’t bothered, I thought the game of football was irrelevant today,” “I wanted to try and win the game with 10 men, but everything is irrelevant tonight, it’s the least of my worries when I think that we have lost Rudy for so long. When our lads knew about it, they were distraught.” “Millwall next week is what makes football intriguing. Thank goodness we have a week off. It’s all hands on deck now, we will try and do it for Rudy.” What Colin Said 9-11-2012 - He’s asked me to pick players out, to look for players for January if the takeover comes off “Everybody knows what we’re waiting for really, . If we don’t get anyone in I think we’d be where we are now (in the table) come January but everybody at the club knows that. “He’s (Bates) asked me to pick players out, to look for players for January if the takeover comes off etc and that’s what I’ve been doing, and they’re aware I’d love to get one or two in before the loan window ends.” What Colin Said 8-11-2012 "You forget that he hasn`t played since September, so I don`t want to push him straight back in before he has got up to date with his fitness. "We need to be a little bit careful although it would be nice to have him available. "First and foremost, we have to get him to a fitness level where we can give him twenty minutes or half hour coming off the bench, we can then think about playing him. We are a way off that at the moment." What Colin Said 6-11-2012 - It is the most disappointed I have felt this season "It is the most disappointed I have felt this season. I am not being disrespectful to Burnley, but we were far superior and if we had wanted to win it, we would have. At half time, I just thought we could step up a gear and we dominated the second half but didn`t take our chances. In the second half we have had three great chances, they have hardly had a shot and then go and breakaway and score, it is very disappointing." "I cannot see us winning a game at the moment. You cannot see a clinical finish. They are working hard enough. It is not a lack of effort, they are working their socks off but it is just not to be at the minute." What Colin Said 17-10-2012 “I’ve always liked Hillsborough,” insists the 63-year-old lifelong Sheffield United fan to the Yorkshire Post ahead of this week’s first derby between Leeds and the Owls since 2007. “It is a proper old ground and the crowd is always vociferous, especially when I’m there it seems. “I always get the same reception whenever I go back. It hasn’t changed in who knows how long. I am sure they will be chanting my name from kick-off on Friday. And not in a nice way, either. “But I am used to it now. I’ve had stick at quite a few grounds down the years. Elland Road always used to be one of the worst, to be fair. I got dog’s abuse there. But, again, it never bothered me. “Anyway, nowadays I just wave back when the opposition fans start. I’ll be the same this weekend, though with there being a few Sheffield United links, lads such as Michael Tonge and Michael Brown, then maybe the abuse will be shared around.” “The thing I do remember from going to Hillsborough was that bloody band playing. I’m not a fan. I just wish they’d learn a few more songs as they just seem to play the same one all the time. “I am looking forward to Friday. I like Milan (Mandaric) and Dave (Jones). They have done a great job in getting Wednesday up. “I know things have not gone too well lately but it’ll turn round. A team always has to adjust when they go up a division. It takes time but Wednesday will get there. Anyone can beat anyone else in this division and Wednesday under a manager as experienced as Dave Jones will soon start getting the points together.” What Colin Said 6-10-2012 What Colin Said 2-10-2012 - I can't fault the players...we are a better side now “It’s probably my fault for giving Rudy Kevin Davies to mark. “He doesn’t know much about him and he’s been caught at two set-pieces so I have to hold my hands up to that. I gave Davies to the wrong person. “But it’s a fabulous point when you look at the games we’ve had in the last 12 days or so – five games in that time. “I can’t fault the players and they’ve given me everything. It’s not very often you come to a place like Bolton and you’re disappointed with a draw. We’re improving every week.” "We have got better. I think we are a better side now than we were six weeks ago. We have a lot of new players that I brought in and you can see we are getting used to each other now and we are looking more compact. "They are a great bunch of lads and there are no big time Charlie`s and I think that is what the fans love about it. They are all working there socks off." What Colin Said 1-10-2012 - You have to enjoy the good times as a manager “I got two or three letters from fans saying they would never come to the club again when I signed Dioufy. “Listen, nobody had given him more stick than me and I include my staff as well. I’m not sure they were 100 per cent behind the situation. “But you have to make decisions like that and far from being a problem, he’s been an absolute gem of a person speaking to our younger players and always on the training ground and available. “From his own point of view, I don’t see he could be anywhere better than Leeds at the minute. “He’s loving being part of it at a big club with a big stage and a lot of fans – and also a team of genuine lads who appreciate what he actually has got. “When you look at what he’s got, you can see what he must have been like in his prime. “I’d like to think he is playing like he is because of the way I’m treating him as he’s playing without a care in the world and showing why he is one of the top players in the country. At times, he’s been unplayable. “I feel proud when I see him performing like he is. Long may it continue. “But I’m not daft either. We are going to need a bigger squad if Dioufy or Beccs (Luciano Becchio) get injured. We have got a thin squad. “You have got to enjoy the good times as a manager. Hopefully, we can sort out the ownership thing and get three or four players into the squad.” What Colin Said 26-9-2012 - Ongoing talks with a number of parties “There are ongoing talks with a number of parties and they’ve been talking to one group for quite a few months now. Everyone is just crossing their fingers really because we do need an investment. “I’ve spoken to the people over the last few months, I’ve told them what kind of club it is. Off the field it’s fantastic, as good as any Premier League club with the training ground and the facilities at the ground. The thing that has been missing is the team, they’re not fulfilling what everyone else is doing and it needs a little bit of investment. “The potential [is there], how many other teams get 30-odd thousand fans in? That’s what you’re talking about when you talk about Leeds. So last night’s result hopefully would have given them all a bit of a push.” "When you’re in this game you want to win and the more money you spend the more pressure is on you. “It’s the same in our division, four or five clubs have spent a lot of money over the past few months and the pressure is on them to get promotion now, and quite rightly so. “As a manager you’d rather have money to spend, have top players and worry about the pressure rather than have no money and no players.” What Colin Said 23-9-2012 - (Poleon) has got big deicisons to make in the next 12 months “Dominic knows what I think about him and he’s got big decisions to make in the next 12 months. “He could have a very good career or he could fizzle out playing in the lower divisions or in non league. It’s up to him. “He has things in his locker that you can’t coach or train but he’s also got things in his locker which you have to change if you want to become a top player. That’s what I’ve been talking to him about for the past few weeks.” “I remember Victor (Moses) in a similar situation. He didn’t think working hard was part of the criteria for a young player. He thought just doing it when you got the ball was sufficient, but look at him now. “Victor had a big decision to make – did he want to start working for his team-mates and end up at a club like Chelsea or go by-the-by and end up at a bottom club? “In fairness to him, Victor rings and texts me quite a lot and still thanks me for what I did. He wouldn’t be where he is now without those lectures – he’d have gone by the wayside. “It’s not been Dominic’s ability which has been in question. It’s been his attitude at times. “But I hope the other night (his appearance against Hull) will be a springboard for him.” What Colin Said 20-9-2012 - Hopefully we will have some good news in the next 10 days People have just got to stick with us. It doesn't seem as if there is ever an end to the end of the tunnel but I still think people are working behind the scenes to change the finances. If I'm honest I didn't envisage the situation being like it is at this stage of my career where I do desperately want to try and get that eighth promotion. There is lots of ups and downs being manager of Leeds United and being a supporter of Leeds United. I am trying my hardest to do things and I will continue to do that until it becomes a situation where you can't. If you can't, you can't. Everyone is working hard behind the scenes to change all that now. Hopefully, we will have some good news in the next 10 days, couple of weeks. What Colin Said 15-9-2012 - I thought we deserved a point “I thought we deserved a point. But to lose Ross McCormack after three minutes was hard, he’s our only Bellamy. “Ross has twisted his ankle quite severely. I don’t think there is any break, but we can’t tell yet because of the swelling. I’d imagine he’ll be out for a few weeks. “It was a fantastic goal by Bellamy, but we were very disappointed with the free-kick that was given. Maynard is good at it. Michael Tonge pulled out of the tackle and he’s gone down. The referee has given the free-kick. We should have had the wall better and were naïve.” What Colin Said 14-9-2012 - These aren't computer games “Everywhere we go, especially with the crowd we take away from home, we’ve got to try and win each game. If we lose, we lose but we’ve got to be looking to win games. “That’s the way I am and it’s the way I always want to be. You should never be in awe of anybody. There’ll be a lot of times like this weekend – the same as it was against Blackburn and Wolves – when you look at the teams we’re playing and on paper you’d think they should beat us all ends up. “But these aren’t computer games. They’re played on a pitch and in real life. "Things happen in real life. There’ll be expectation on Cardiff and other teams we play in the next few weeks – more expectation than there is on us.” “I don’t think we’ve got any players who would play for a draw. I don’t see lads like Jason Pearce, Tom Lees and so on knowing how to play for a point. “I’ve never done that in my career. I’ve never gone into a game not trying to win it.” “If you look at the teams we’ve already played it’s been tough. Over the next four weeks you couldn’t ask for more difficult games than what we’ve got. “But it’s going to be difficult for the teams who are playing us too. I’ve told the lads that.” What Colin Said 12-9-2012 - I would send the players out in a yellow shirt with pink stripes and polka dots on it “If an owner said to me, here’s a £10m transfer kitty, I’ve got to be honest, I’d play in whatever they asked me to, For that money I would send the players out in a yellow shirt with pink stripes and polka dots on it. No problem whatsoever.” “Malky’s my favourite manager, he’s got a massive future ahead of him. Do you know how I know he’s doing well? He signed half the same players I have down the years. Tommy Smith, Heidar Helguson, Matt Connolly, I even had Mark Hudson with me at Palace. I’ll tell you what if I’m not careful I’ll walk into the wrong dressing room on Saturday!” “I would have loved to have signed Craig Noone and Nicky Maynard, but I just didn’t have the money. We’re skint really. There’s talk about a takeover here, but I don’t know right now what’s going on with it. So I think Malky has spent very wisely and good luck to him." “For me, Cardiff are the favourites to go up. I look at Blackburn too. Look what they spent on one player and their wage bill is huge. There’s a little group of three or four going for the title and Cardiff are in that. It would be great for them as well with the fans they have. They’ve been so close in recent years too.” “We know it’s going to be tough in Cardiff, even more so than usual, and it’s always a real battle. But I do think as well it could be a super game. Cardiff are favourites, certainly. If you look at the two teams on paper Cardiff should win it. But when you look at the games we’ve already played, on paper you would say we should have lost those too. It’s all about 11 against 11 and we know anything can happen. I’m looking forward to it.” What Colin Said 29-8-2012 - Attitude...spot on "The attitude of the players that came in was absolutely spot on. Listen to full interview on Yorkshire Radio here What Colin Said 25-8-2012 - We did a very professional job "We thoroughly deserved the victory. "The front players were poor in the defeat at Blackpool and I let them know as much, but they were much better today. "We looked dangerous, Luciano got his goals and we did a very professional job "You always get greedy when a couple of goals up but I thought we could have seen it out before Peterborough got their goal back. What Colin Said 17-8-2012 - I'm hardened to all the facts “It’s been difficult in the respect that some days I’ve been talking about spending a lot of money on a player and then the next day I’m looking at free transfers. “It’s changed every week, or it seems to have changed with what’s happening or what isn’t happening. But I’ve got to put the best team out I can. “So if the money’s there I’ll spend it. If it’s not there I’ll look for what I can get without spending. “I’m at the stage where I’ll accept anything that happens. I’m hardened to all the facts. I imagine we’ll be having this conversation about the takeover around Christmas time and probably again in March. By the end of the season it might be sorted!” “We are where we are with the team and that’s all we can do. You can’t use anything as an excuse. There’s no reason for that. We should all be optimistic whatever the situation at the club. We’ve got a great bunch of players and a great staff and we’ll give everything for the cause. “Rest assured that whoever we play will know they’ve been in a game. That’s what I always try to do in football and nothing’s changed, whatever the financial situation is.” “We’ve signed 10 players. I know what people want me to say (about the shortage of transfer funds) but I’ve got 10 players. “I’d like another couple, especially with losing Robert Snodgrass, and I have to work at getting what I can with the means I’ve got. To put it in perspective, we’ve spent on 10 players what Hull have spent on one striker (Nick Proschwitz). “It would be my biggest ever achievement if I got promoted with this squad as it is at the moment. But I wouldn’t write it off.” What Colin Said 15-8-2012 - Every kick of the ball should matter to you “I don’t think we’re automatic promotion material.” “If I put my hand on my heart, I don’t think we’re automatic promotion material. That’s not me being defeatist, I’m just being realistic about the squad we’ve got. I’m telling you what I see. “As far as the play-offs go, I’m optimistic that we’ll have as good a chance as most clubs of getting in there. You need a bit of luck to finish in the top six and you can’t always rely on luck but, first and foremost, you need the players. I’m going into the season with a lot of the players I wanted.” “We had a few more tools in the box at QPR. Although in saying that, not too many more. “I had the best midfield player I’ve ever worked with in (Alejandro) Faurlin, and the person everyone focused on was (Adel) Taarabt. People think we got promoted because of him. But that success was as much down to your Paddy Kennys, your Shaun Derrys and your Clint Hills. You can’t do it without reliable players like that – players you’d always trust to cover your back. “We’re not the finished article and we do need a couple more players but if I can’t sign anyone else before the season starts then I’d still be happy going into it. I really mean that. I’ve got genuine players here and I also know that teams will have to be really good to beat us. Really good. “Some of the lads here have played for me before, most have played in the Championship too and most have still got things to prove. “As a manager, I think you look at your players in the dressing room before a game and ask ‘would I have him at my back in a battle? Would I have him in the trenches with me?’ In fairness, most of my players who are here now I’d want with me. Last year, I’d have been worried having half of them behind me. “We’ve got a difficult start to the season and it couldn’t have been more difficult. But I like that. I like being thrown in at the deep end and starting with a bang.” “If the Olympics haven’t lifted everybody then there’s something badly wrong with this country,”. “I’ve never cried so much in my life. I’m a grown man watching sports that I’ve never really seen before and I had tears coming out my eyes. “I’m a passionate and emotional guy but I didn’t expect it to make that much of an impression on me. I watched these lads and lasses fighting for medals and saw what sport is all about. “Emotional is what sport needs to be. It’s what football has to be. Every kick of the ball should matter to you. When I’ve lifted trophies or won promotion in the past, the satisfaction I felt was so intense. You never forget it. I can’t imagine what it would be like at Leeds if it happened. The roof would come off. “That little bit extra counts for so much when it comes to winning things. That’s what I want my players to think about when they’re in the dressing room for the game against Wolves. “We’re not going to win the league against Wolves but I want us to go out against them, a team who won’t have made many changes from their Premier League squad, and get stuck in. I want us to go the extra mile and realise what can happen when you do. “We’ve all got to want that winning feeling. And we’ve all got to feel the privilege of being employed by a club like Leeds. If the players take those extra yards, anything is possible.” What Colin Said 6-8-2012 - The summer has probably been as hard as any I've had in my career “I really want Ross to stay,but I also want him to be happy and it would be great if we could agree a contract. Ross has been great in pre-season, really excellent. “I get the impression he is really enjoying himself. But, like everything in life, you need that security and, hopefully, we can give Ross that. We will speak to Ross again this week and, hopefully, sort something out. Ross knows I want him to stay.” “The summer has probably been as hard as any I’ve had in my career. “It is only in the last 48 hours that I can see that I have a team who I believe will be competitive, home and away. “We may, in my opinion, still be short of a few goals but we are in a healthy state. Put it this way, I don’t think teams will want to play against us. And that always has to be the starting point. “Then you have to build on that. The back area has improved this summer, so has the midfield. But now we have to improve our goal threat. “Ideally, I’d like to get another striker in before Wolves (at home on August 18) and with Snodgrass having left then I’d like someone who can play wide as well. “On Saturday I played Paul Green out there and he did ever so well. “Aidy White has also played out wide and done well. He is keen and enthusiastic, too. “But at home you need that little bit more flair. Losing Snodgrass, undoubtedly, makes my job a bit harder. We need another finisher. Things are in the pipeline.” “There has been interest so we will see what happens. I want more goals so I may try to further manipulate my squad a bit.” “Austin has got a good engine, is good in the air and can play centre-half as well as midfield. He can also play full-back so having him around will be great. But I also have to say that he can be at his best when breaking attacks up. “He reminds me of Makelele at Chelsea, he is that type of player. A Shaun Derry type, if you like, always snapping at the opposition. “When QPR went up, (Adel) Taarabt and (Alejandro) Faurlin were great but we could not have done it without the Shaun Derrys of this world and the Clint Hills and the Paddy Kennys. “You have to have them in place to get where you want to be. “As for Lee Peltier, he can’t wait. I took him on the pitch after the Preston game. I grabbed him and walked him over to the fans. I then pointed to Lee and the fans went bananas. “He was stunned at the reception.” What Colin Said 4-8-2012 - I am delighted "I am delighted; I didn`t think we would be able to afford him if I am being honest at the start of the summer. Listen to the full Interview What Colin Said 27-7-2012 - Last time I beat Torquay we got promoted What Colin Said 23-7-2012 - These things take time What Colin Said 20-7-2012 - He loves Leeds United and it was a big pulling point "We have been chasing him for a while now to put pen to paper. He loves Leeds United and it was a big pulling point. BatesRadio What Colin Said 18-7-2012 - The new people...are keen for me to stay “To be honest, I wouldn’t be there now if I didn’t think they were totally behind me. “I have had opportunities this summer to move on and the fans at Leeds have been superb with me right from day one so I felt that the best interests of the fans and the club is me staying put. That sounds big-headed but I don't mean it like that. "Knowing what is going off, knowing the people that I'm dealing with, I just felt it was the best opportunity to get it sorted. The new people think along those lines as well. I have been given that type of assurance that they are really keen for me to stay." “I was hoping when I came to build a team around Rob but they get their head turned and it’s difficult," he said. "You understand the player’s point of view when he sees [Jonny] Howson and Bradley Johnson go down to Norwich. It is disappointing. “There are a few clubs that like Rob. Norwich have made an offer for him that’s not what we consider acceptable. You can understand why [clubs are interested in him]. He is a top player and he has been for the last few years.” “We have had two or three decent offers for Ross and from what I can gather I don’t think the terms will be a problem with all these clubs that are chasing him. But I don’t want to let anyone go, if I’m honest, unless I’ve got replacements or good players coming in.” Talksport Listen to the full Neil Warnock Interview on Talksport What Colin Said 17-7-2012 - Unless they come up with a valuation that the club thinks satisfactory "It's been made public that they have bid, but from our own point of view it's not what we're looking for,". "We'd like to keep Rob, and Rob knows that. Whether that will be possible we'll have to wait and see. "It's difficult when players get their heads turned, but I'd like to keep Rob at the club and that's what I'm trying to do at the moment. Unless they come up with a valuation that the club thinks is satisfactory then that's what we want to do." www.batespropaganda.cunt.monaco What Colin Said 13-7-2012 - Whoever comes in will not throw money at it like Man City “Whoever comes in will not throw money at it like at Man City. They will come in and look at it and while I think they will support the manager, I don’t think there will be any stupid money thrown away. “That’s never been my policy anyhow. You just want the freedom to spend realistically to try and be successful in this division. “I think anybody coming into Leeds will want to support the manager and whoever comes in, I’m sure they will. Likewise, I think it’s got to be right for the chairman as well and I’m hopeful everything will be sorted. Obviously, the sooner the better for me. “As it stands, I’m talking to a number of players and I’m optimistic we can get some more in. “It has been difficult to get the targets over the line, I’ve got to say, but there’s been so much going off with the due diligence and court case this week. “It’s been frustrating in one respect, but I understand there are only 24 hours in a day. It’s been difficult for (chief executive) Shaun Harvey, in particular, because he’s had to deal with a lot of issues. “But the due diligence is still going on and the chairman is positive and so is Shaun, so I just go along and get on with my job.” What Colin Said 11-7-2012 - You have to put the hard work in "If you have a good pre-season in stands you in good stead for the rest of the season. I like the lads to do well and most of my teams have been pretty fit, so I am sticking with what I am used too over the last couple of years. They have done well today. What Colin Said 4-7-2012 - It would've been easy for me to leave We’ve got our targets and we’re hoping in the next couple of weeks (hopefully the next week) to start bringing our targets in so we have a full supplement as soon as we can in the pre-season. We need a big influx of players and that’s what I’m looking at trying to do. There’s been quite a few enquiries about a number of players, which I’m not surprised about. They could all do a good job for certain clubs. We’ve had a couple of bids, but not enough to tempt us at the moment." I’ve not been sat on my backside, I’ve been really busy. While there’s not been much news I think the fans have just got to trust me. I think they know what I’m doing behind the scenes and I’m working on their behalf as well as the club. It’s a great club. It would’ve been easy for me to leave the it and take on something a little bit different, but it does intrigue me and I’m still here, and I’m doing the best I can for everyone. I don’t think it’s for me to talk about at the moment, I’m just concentrating on getting my targets and trying to bring them in as soon as possible as I have done in the past few weeks. With being on the inside I do know more than other people, but there’s not a lot to tell you at this moment in time. What Colin Said 3-7-2012 - On Aidy White “I have had no contact with Aidy at all. I was just told he’d turned the contract down and that offer ran out on the first of July. “Presumably, he’ll tell me what’s going off when he comes back for pre-season training on the 11th. “Under the legal terms, I don’t suppose he has to train with us if he’s not got fixed up, with him being under 24. But I think the lad will want to anyhow.” What Colin Said 21-6-2012 - Paddy Kenny “Paddy has been with me for years, so never say never. I imagine it will depend on who QPR get in.”
“We released quite a lot [of players] so we need quite a number of new players. We still need to buy a few more which we’re hoping to do in the next few weeks.”
What Colin Said 19-6-2012 - I have not been sat doing nothing "I have not been sat doing nothing. Believe it or not, it has been very hard work. I have been talking to players, and I have missed out on the odd one. "I am looking to bring quite a number in over the next couple of weeks. Behind the scenes, they are trying to get me the resources to do it. The sooner we can get them in the better and if there is a chance of getting someone in then they will be signed. "You just have to do your best. I think the fans know I am working as hard as I can to get what we all want and that is a successful team and only time will tell. "I am working as hard as I have ever done to put a team together. I am going to need support and I am hoping the support will be there." "It would be nice if we can have the players in before we go down to the West Country. We will be training morning, afternoon and playing at night. , it is not as if we will just be playing a few games and having a jolly, it will be hard work. "It would be nice if we can get the majority of players in for then and that is what I am hoping will happen." BatesRadio What Colin Said 18-6-2012 - It's my job to make it as difficult as possible for those teams "It's a great fixture to start with, You can't really have a better game than that to start off with. "We start with Wolves at home then Blackpool away, and you couldn't have two much tougher games than that. Peterborough as well will be a toughie down there. "Then you look at the next four games with Blackburn, Cardiff, Hull and Forest. That just shows what a great league this is. "People will talk about a tough start to the season and it is, but the six teams we face first up will also be looking at their starts and thinking 'we've got Leeds.' "It's my job to make it as difficult as possible for those teams." www.batespropaganda.cunt.monaco What Colin Said about Latest Transfer News on Radio Leeds 22-5-2012 Colin talks McCormack, Snodgrass and not spending £1m on one player "It is a challenge to get a squad together that is capable of winning promotion.
"I want to keep Snodgrass and he knows what I think about him. I do not blame him at the moment. He is waiting to see how ambitious the club is.
What Colin Said 18-5-2012 - It's unlikely he'll sign “It’s unlikely he’ll sign. “We’ve offered Ross an increase but his representatives made it clear that they’re looking for a more significant increase after the season he’s had. “We’ve agreed to play it by ear and see where things go from here but he’s going into his last year and it might be that people come in for him now.” “They’ve all had offers but there’s no guarantee that any of them will re-sign,”. “That’s the nature of football and it’s their prerogative. It’s a big concern because you want to keep your better players. “I can’t say hand on heart that any of them will re-sign – but they might all re-sign.” What Colin Said 15-5-2012 - The three coming down were the best three for us “From our point of view, I think it’s far better that QPR have stayed up, as I think they have more money to throw at things and would have been stronger than most (next season). “Looking at it, the three coming down were the best three for us. “I don’t think any of the three teams going down will be a major threat, like it was when West Ham went down last season. I don’t see a ‘West Ham’ there. “I think Wolves are gambling by having a relative stranger to the Championship (managing). But they haven’t got to sell anybody, so they will probably keep all of their squad. “I do see Blackburn and Bolton as losing some of their main players, if I’m honest. “I think Bolton will have to cut their cloth accordingly as they’ve got a lot of debts at the minute.” “Coming up, there’s Charlton, who will be strong. “Already I’ve enquired about one particular player and I know Charlton are willing to pay a fortune for him, wages-wise, so they are obviously having a go and will maybe sign two or three on big money. “Then there’s the likes of Leicester and speaking to Nigel (Pearson), they are going to support him again and they are going to have another buying spree. They have got to be a threat. “No matter what people say, it’s always a notoriously competitive league. It’s always the same and I think that’s what makes it a good league. “But from my point of view, I won’t be worrying about any of them if we get our targets really. What Colin Said 14-5-2012 - I'm realistic about what we can afford "I'm realistic about what we can afford. What Colin Said 9-5-2012 - I'm going to be doing my business "I talk to the chairman and all I can do is be realistic in the players that I want. I think the players I'm going to sign will not only be good value, but will be an investment for the club as well. "They're not all going to be 37-year-olds giving me one year, they're going to be hungry players and I'm hoping I can make them into better players and that there will be some who are re-saleable. "We'll be trying to get the blend of experience as well into that squad. When I've got one over the line we try and move that forward with [chief executive] Shaun Harvey and the chairman and try and come up with ways of doing that. "At the same time I'm going to be doing my business on the other side, looking to thin the squad like I have done, not just releasing players, but lads transfer-listed and seeing what opportunities come to wheel and deal in that situation." What Colin Said 8-5-2012 - We've offered increased contracts to a number of players "I think we've offered good, increased contracts to a number of players and it's down to them. "We've already made a statement that [Robert] Snodgrass is the best contract that the club has made for many years. "They're not all financially at that kind of level, but we've offered Ross what we feel is a good wage, whether it's acceptable to Ross I think we'll know in the next couple of weeks." "Same with Aidy. I spoke to Aidy's representative [on Wednesday] so I would imagine I'll have more idea about Aidy as well. I'm sure they're talking to other clubs, which they're entitled to do aren't they? "We're writing to Ross as we speak, Snods has already had his and then with Adam, I think the offer from the club was realistic." What Colin Said 4-5-2012 - It was pointless fudging it “It was pointless fudging it. I’m sure there’ll be a number of clubs after Adam because he’s done well this season in a lot of games. “But if we can’t agree what I think is a decent offer, we have to move on quickly. If there are casualties then so be it. We don’t have time to dwell on that and you’ve got to make decisions. I want to be doing things yesterday. “Like a few other players he only had a year left and it’s up to the club to make a realistic offer. I felt that the offer from the club was realistic. “I have to look at it and say that I’ll be signing a player for £400,000 or £500,000 and I don’t feel Adam’s worth more than the player I’ll be signing. “With what I’m looking for, I’ve got to generate something to get me what I want. “That’s how I looked at it and I’m trying to be a realist. “We weren’t going to throw money at it just because we made a big contract offer to (Robert) Snodgrass. “Robert’s a special player at Leeds. He’s been here a long time and he’s seen a lot of his team-mates depart. That’s why I felt we had to offer him the top rate.” “I’m a big fan of Becchio, He can be a much better player than I’ve seen so far and that’s something I’ll be working on in pre-season. “It’s also why I put Billy Paynter on the transfer list. If I do bring another striker in then he needs to be different to those two. “We’re looking at pace in a few areas and I’m trying to get the right balance on the ins and outs.” "He’s (Michael Brown) the type of person I like around the club" “Since I came here he’s been my best player in most of the games in my eyes. I feel he’s got something to offer. “I also think that with the other players I’m bringing in and the legs they’ve got, he might surprise us all and play more than we think. “I’ve offered him quite a reduced wage from what he’s been on but it’s an offer that will stop him going down a level. “At this stage of his career I don’t think Michael wants to think about doing that. “The offer’s on a par with what I think he’ll get offered elsewhere and somebody like Michael is always good to have around, if you use him in the right way. I trust him totally.” What Colin Said 2-5-2012 - I'd like to clear the decks and bring in fresh faces "It's always difficult for managers whether you're telling a 16-year-old or a professional, but it's something that has to be done. Over the past few months I've worked out who I wanted to stay and I want the club moved forward now. That why I had discussions with all the players, including the ones who are being retained. Even up to the last couple of games I've had a few things in my mind about what I would do, and the last few games finished a few things off. Just because players are on the transfer list doesn't mean they'll go, If we don't get the offers in we think are acceptable they'll come back pre-season and fight for their place." "I'm looking to sign midfield players, and the contract Adam's representatives were looking for, we weren't prepared to go to that extent. Coming into the last year it makes sense to see if they can get that offer somewhere else and if we can get an appropriate figure it's the sort of money I can use to improve the squad. But if he hasn't gone, he'll come back and it's up to him to show us he can get in the team, get his position, and then he's in the driving seat going up to Christmas. "I wouldn't say to any of the lads it's a full and final…it's something I felt, particularly in Adam's case, that the best thing is see how he comes back and how we are at that time. We're signing players now and I'm looking at the players we're signing, and there's a couple of offers we've made to players that I think are good, whether they accept or not I don't know, but I felt this needed doing at this time and we'll cross the bridges as we come to them. "When you're talking about so many players there'll be a few decisions that not everyone agrees with. Adam has probably had more games than anyone else, but looking at that area I have my own ideas about players I'd like to bring in and that's what I'm looking for really." "I'd like to clear the decks a little bit and bring in the fresh faces that we need. I don't see them playing regularly so rather than keep them - you can't just release them when they're on contracts - but they know if clubs come in with an offer that we think is acceptable they can go. "I've had some enquiries already so we'll see how we go. It's just trying to start early for next season." What Colin Said 28-4-2012 - A blank piece of paper, and start from scratch "Instead of being a fortress, it’s been a weakness. It won’t happen again. This is the lowest ebb for Leeds to lose that many games. “We couldn’t have tried anymore, but that’s how it goes.” “We’re having a drastic change to the squad. We need to get ready and get amongst them,” he added of his work ahead. “I don’t have the time to blend them in. We need to be ready to go.” What Colin Said 27-4-2012 - I am looking at the spine of the side "I don`t want loan players if I can help it and I am working on getting the right type of player and I want to start with the defence. "I would like to sort the defence out and we will be strong home and away defensively. That will then allow the midfielders and strikers a little bit more time. "I am looking at the spine of the side. It is where all good sides are made and you do not deviate much from the group of players that you have in the spine of the team. I think if we can do that then the other players in the side will blossom." "I don`t think there is enough pace in any areas of the side and I am looking to bring that type of player into the side. "I don`t want a defender who can be a good ball player; I want a defender who can do what he is good at. I want midfield players who can not only dink a ball over and work box to box and then put a ball into the box where the strikers can revel in it. It is all about getting the pieces of the jigsaw in the right areas,". "It does take time, but I don`t want to take my time, I want to do it all in pre-season and get off to a good start." What Colin Said 26-4-2012 - Press Conference pre Leeds United vs Leicester City 26-4-2012 "I want to put a team out that the new generation of Leeds United fans can enjoy watching. We are on the twentieth anniversary of Leeds winning the Division One title and a lot of the younger supporters have never seen anything like that. "It is my intention during my period at the club to build a side that the young generation can be proud of. "The challenge in the summer is to build the club with the right type of signings so that kids can come to the ground excited next year and we can give them a run for their money." What Colin Said 25-4-2012 - There's even been players linked I've never heard of "This has been a busy week in terms of talking about recruitment and we've got a busy few days coming up,". "I'll be speaking with the players next week and we'll make an announcement after that so people know where we are. "The next few weeks will be very busy." "I'd like to keep the fans informed where possible, but I'm not going to be commenting on every individual that's mentioned,". "I've read we're speaking to 'this player' or 'that player'…I'm supposed to have signed three players from QPR…there's even been players linked I've never heard of. "Journalists need things to fill their columns with, particularly in the summer when there's not a lot else to write about apart from speculation and sometimes they'll be right, sometimes it'll be inventive. "The best thing I can do is keep quiet." What Colin Said 21-4-2012 - Only one more game to go, thank goodness "I was disappointed at half time not to be winning. How Ross McCormack missed his header, I will never know. "We never put their players under pressure and we don`t put teams under pressure. They would have been under so much pressure had they gone 1-0 down. "All of a sudden it is what I call an 'alehouse ball` and we are 1-0 down. It is disappointing for me but only one more game to go, thank goodness." "We came here with an opportunity of winning like we did at Blackpool the other night. With a few more players standing up and being counted we could have beaten both teams." "I am frustrated. When you look at the teams in the play offs, even with the team we have, we should have won more games,". BatesRadio What Colin Said 20-4-2012 - We just need a competitive squad "Mick Jones and Ronnie Jepson are going to leave me on my own at Cardiff and they are going to be out scouting because we have so many different players to take a look at. "We have to look to the future and that is why Mick and Ronnie will be out looking at players we have targeted. "Hopefully we will try and bring some in as soon as the season ends. There is going to be one or two things happen in the next seven days. Not only Darren but there will be one or two other things around the club taking place around playing squad." "What funds are available we will try and use and we will also look to take advantage of those players available on a Bosman. We will try and pick the best ones we can. We need quite a number of players so we will not be able to buy everybody we want, we will have to be shrewd in what we do,". "I cannot tell you know how many players I will be bringing in because we just need to get a competitive squad and good players with plenty of energy because the place needs to be vibrant." "The usual names are being mentioned by the media. It is usually an ex QPR player but it is none of those at the moment that I have been talking about. "We are currently looking outside that and we are looking everywhere for different areas of the team because we do need a good squad next year." "The two players who have made it clear to me that they would like to join Leeds are both exciting players and they are the right age and the right temperament,". What Colin Said 18-4-2012 - I wish we were a hard team “I wish we were a hard team. The sending offs have been quite pathetic. I can’t remember a good sending off among them. They’ve been stupid.”
What Colin Said 15-4-2012 - I honestly haven’t got a clue who’s going to be involved next season “I honestly haven’t got a clue who’s going to be involved next season. I don’t think anyone can say, not even the lads under contract. We’ll have to see what develops. “The ones who’ve got a year left, the one’s who’ve got nothing left – I’m making decisions and I’ll stand by them. There’ll be some people here next year and people who I hope would want to stay – the lads we’re talking to. “But if they don’t stay, then that’s their hard luck and I’m not just talking about Snodgrass. I’m talking about others as well. At my age, I don’t worry now about people who want to leave. “I look to the future and I think this is a great club and a great place to be. You’d be an idiot to leave at the moment. It’s an exciting time.” “No, we’ve not had time – other than me telling him he’ll be stupid if he doesn’t sign! “If I was him, I wouldn’t rush into anything either. He’s got to know where we want to be, and I’m telling him where we want to be. I hope he’s part of it. “If not, then he’ll move on, but he might not get a game somewhere else. You never know what’s around the corner. It would be great for him to lead us out next year with a revamped squad, looking forward to the season.” “It’s been a long time coming. We’ve had some great performances at home and some diabolical ones too. It seems to be the toss of a coin over how we’re going to play. “We started well and could have been two or three goals up, but as always we shot ourselves in the foot with a calamitous goal. Fortunately, Peterborough gave us a more calamitous goal back. “At half-time, we regrouped and we were a lot more positive in the second half. But I don’t get carried away. Nothing’s changed my opinion on what I need in the next few months or where I want to be at the start of next season.” What Colin Said 14-4-2012 - We could have had eight or nine quite easily "I am pleased with the win. They gave me everything and we have been close on a few occasions and played poorly on a few occasions, so I really do not know what I am going to get at the moment. "That is the championship for you. You have to know week in, week out what you are going to get and that is what I am going to try to build over the next few months." "I thought we had a bit of luck with the goal just before half time after some calamites` defending by Peterborough, which let us in. At half time, I was hoping to go in just one down and not two, so to get the goal was a massive plus. "In the second half we were on the front foot and we made them make mistakes. We could have had a lot of goals and we could have had eight or nine quite easily,". "I am going to enjoy tonight, have a drink and enjoy the moment,". BatesRadio
What Colin Said 13-4-2012 - Next season's a big season for me “Before I spoke to the chairman I possibly did have doubts about next season. I said when I first came here that I didn’t want to be around mid-table. Next season’s a big season for me. “I don’t want to work many more years and if I felt we couldn’t get up there then it would be pointless picking up my money just to put a team out. I’ve never been like that. “The chairman knows how desperate I am – and you can use that word because I am desperate – to bring the players in who can give me the success I want. The incentive for me is a record eight promotions. “I was very pleased with his reaction and I’ve spoken to him numerous times this week. But how I feel at the moment is irrespective of anything. I just feel like taking the challenge on. “If the supporters had been negative towards me or if I thought they didn’t believe in me then it would be easy to walk away at the end of this season. But I’m probably the best man for the job that needs to be done at Leeds. And it’ll be as tough as job as I’ve ever had. “I do feel that I want to put a team together for next season and give it a go. I don’t want people to see me as having a team who are playing out games. I want to have a team who have something to play for. “The challenge is there, I know what I need and I’ve told the chairman what I need. He’s trying as hard as he can to give me what I require to make us successful. I’ll know more in the next few weeks because things are happening behind the scenes all the time.” “I was very pleased with the reaction of the chairman, He listened to what I said and he’s got his own ideas. “But money’s not everything with players. Some of them just want to see the ambition the club’s got. I think Rob (Snodgrass) made that clear in some of his comments this week. “It’s also about getting the right players with the right attitude, and players who can play for Leeds. This isn’t a normal club. You need a certain type of mentality to play here. “I’ve already told the chairman of three or four players who I’m looking at and I’m speaking to agents regularly. We need to get cracking as soon as the season ends and that’s why I want to get the first one in almost immediately. I hope that’s almost done. I won’t know for sure until the day it’s agreed but I’m optimistic. “We’ve gone through a list of players who are at the club already, giving ticks and minus and the chairman realises where I am. He knows what I’m thinking.” “I don’t think players are daft, If I’ve got to change things around then I’ll need people to go and make more wages available. It’s not rocket science.” “I’ve got to think longer-term now. The home form will change once we sort the team out. “My back’s broad and we aren’t playing well but for all the negativity, I’ve been surprised by how much support I’ve been given. The fans have taken on board the fact that drastic action is needed. I still want to see three or four lads start a game, and Peterborough’s the one game of the four we’ve got left where the other club aren’t going for promotion. “I’ve got to be careful against the other sides with the teams I put out but there’ll be two or three changes tomorrow. I can’t still be wondering about these players in two weeks’ time.” What Colin Said 12-4-2012 - The club needs new blood "I think on most decisions what I have to make in my own mind I am made up. I am already going down the line of talking to agents and other people regarding recruitment." "I have had long chats with the chairman this week and we have to start as soon as the season ends because we do need quite a few players. "I think he is going to be very supportive in that respect. He knows how I am and he is going to try as much as he can to get me the finance etc. "At the same time, players will be leaving so we will lose people off the wage bill. It is going to be something we do together. He is going to try to find me the finance that I want to get us up at the top end of the table and they are working very hard behind the scenes to get the finance," . "I think it is going to be amongst the busiest summers I have ever had at a football club. I think it is on a par with when I took over at Crystal Palace when we had to change the squad dramatically." "We still need a squad of twenty-one players. There are players in contract that I will try to move on or want to move on." "There are always some players that will get back into the reckoning but I think the club needs new blood and it needs a certain type of player to come in and the sooner we can get to the end of the season the better." BatesRadio
What Colin Said 11-4-2012 - I want him to know how important he is to us "I want him to know how important he is too us. I want him to be the captain next year and build the club around him. I have asked him to give us a year and one way or another he will be in the Premier League the following season." "If he doesn`t accept the contract that we have offered him, which is a fabulous contract, then I don`t think there is any other option than he will be leaving, but I don`t want that to happen,". BatesRadio What Colin Said 9-4-2012 - I don`t think it can get much lower for Leeds United "I have no complaints about the sending-off. He puts six studs up into his stomach and I can have no complaints really. "I am disappointed. I think all the Leeds fans know now, we just have to grin and bear it. We have four games to go and the end of the season cannot come soon enough. "I have never seen so many players from one team surround a referee. That is why he (Thompson) got sent off." "He got sent off, because the players surrounded him (Drysdale) and influenced him beyond all recognition." "I suppose it is a learning curve. We get punished for referees learning their trade. It is wrong." "Bill Shankly used to say, 'officials know the laws. They just don't know the game'." What Colin Said 5-4-2012 - I have already made my mind up on quite a few issues "I have already made up my mind on quite a few issues. I think I would like to see two or three of the other players who I have not given enough opportunity to over the last six games. "I think there is quite drastic action needed to be taken over the coming months. "There is quite a few out of contract this season and Ken Bates and I will be getting together over the coming week to discuss those and also those under contract." What Colin Said 3-4-2012 - We need an influx of new players "There are six games left and it cannot come quick enough really. I just have to try to give three or four lads a chance that have not had a chance yet to finalise what I am thinking at the moment. "I think we need an influx of new players. I think the average supporter knows that who has seen the team. It is obvious we need some fresh blood and it cannot come soon enough. "It is going to be an enormous battle to get a squad good enough to go up in the summer. That is the challenge; you have to bring in your own players. "Next season I want to do well. Next year is one that I want to win promotion, that is what I am here for and that is what I would like to do. "Everybody at Leeds wants the same. It is what we all want. "You have got to be consistent and you need players that are consistent and are used to the championship because it is a physical league." What Colin Said 4-4-2012 - Southampton will probably win the league but Reading are my ultimate Championship side “Reading are the top Championship club in my eyes,” “I hope they go up automatically. “I know Southampton will probably win the league but Reading are my ultimate Championship side. I’m looking to build a side like that.” “Look at Leigertwood, who I had. I recommended Gorkss to them and (Matthew) Connolly. Reading sum up the Championship. They’ve got no weakness, they’ve got leaders all over, they’ve got plenty of guts, ability, pace, power. You name it, they’ve got it. They’re a fantastic team. We’re lacking in all those areas. “Organisation can get you so far but (against Watford) we lacked imagination up front, we lacked strength in midfield and we lacked pace in areas at the back. “We lacked pace up front too. There’s not much else you can say." “It took Brian a few years to get it right at Reading but I think he had a few more tools when he took over. We’ll have to invest.” What Colin Said 31-3-2012 - When you play for Leeds United..you have to die for the cause "What we are missing are quality players. What we do not have is enough of everything." "We have not got enough guts, quality and desire. You name it and we do not have it. The squad needs major surgery." "I think the game summed up why I have been brought to the club. We are talking about the same mistakes and same performances and it must change drastically." "When I looked at today`s performance it is a good job we are not in a relegation battle." "When I looked at some of the players, I thought they went AWOL." "There is a way of losing. If you come off and think, we have done well then ok. But that today, I cannot ask 20,000 plus fans to pay money and watch that." "I have to make sure we get enough good championship players who have all the ingredients of what I require to make sure we are not in the same situation next season because there is no-way I will tolerate biting my tongue like I have after being tonked by Watford," "I can accept certain things. One or two people have said that the stadium is too big and there is too much expectation. That is a load of rubbish,". "For me, when you play for Leeds United you have to play with your heart on your sleeve and you have to die for the cause. "I saw players look away rather than head a ball. I saw a midfield player look away rather than head the ball. It does my head in," What Colin Said 31-3-2012 - I couldn't see us scoring in a brothel today "I think we are miles away from where we should be. "I couldn't see us scoring in a brothel today. Watford are a streetwise team and we have been mugged in every department. We were so naive. "It showed why I got the job. A major overhaul is needed and I don't think the 7-3 defeat against Forest was as bad as this performance. "We will have to invest. The chairman (Ken Bates) knows what I think and I will talk to him when he comes over at Easter. It needs major surgery. This is as big a job and challenge as I have ever had. "I learned more about some players today than I did against Forest. A few of them went missing. It hurts me that over 20,000 people have paid good money to see that." What Colin Said 29-3-2012 - There is no way that I can put up with inconsistency "We need an in`s and out`s summer to get the squad that we like. "There are still players surprising me, some doing better than I thought they would. Likewise, there is one or two not doing as well as I thought they would. "We have got to be positive this year and we must sign players at the end of the season and not in August. "This is going to be a massive summer if we are to have any chance. There is no way that I can put up with inconsistency and mid table. That is not my scene." "I have spoken to five of them. They were just provisional talks, I am going to put together certain things, and when the chairman comes over at Easter, I hope to have a meeting with him and tell him my views on the five players, including Darren O`Dea. "I have spoken to them all and explained my situation and how I feel about their contribution. I have also said that if we cannot agree anything I accept in certain cases that they might have to go. At the moment though we have not spoken about that, I want them all to stay." What Colin Said 29-3-2012 - I want to win at home, I'm not looking beyond that "I want to win at home, I'm not looking beyond that,". "The tabloids are saying I've won two out of seven games since I came here, I'd say we've lost two of out seven. "We've been very, very close, and we could have been another seven points better off than we are now, but all I'm thinking about is maximum points at home and the Watford game is the only one I'm bothered about." "Leeds fans are so desperate to do well and that's what that makes this challenge so exciting. We shall be giving it our all, that's all I can say." "I read all the doom and gloom after the Forest the game and then all the euphoria after the Milwall game. It's like water off a ducks back. We haven't been good enough consistently." "If we don't win on Saturday, we'll probably go and win at Reading and then we'll be going for the Championship or something stupid, but you can't lose a game 7-3 and get in the Play-Offs! "We've got to win a home game. Watford's as good as any. They're flying and I'm not disappointed by that. I'd rather that than play a team having the worst run ever." "If everyone plays to the top of their game we can be a match for anybody. When we drop a few cogs we'll get turned over. We can't be like that. Next season, we can't have inconsistency like that." "You might as well play roulette. Is it going to be black or red? You can't be like that. As a manager, you've got to know who's in the trenches with you." What Colin Said 29-3-2012 - You forget how young they are sometimes "They (Bromby and O'Brien) both had half a game for the reserves, but I still think they're a little bit short at the moment," . "Aidy White is also struggling a bit with his ankle, but we'll make a decision on him nearer the time. "I would expect us to go with pretty much what we have." "We are a bit thin on the ground in that area at the moment, I did try and bring a central defender in before the loan deadline, but for one reason or another, we just didn't quite get it over the line. "I didn't want to put Tom in there last Saturday so we moved him to right back and I have to say I thought he did very well, but it could well be that he comes in there again on Saturday. "You forget how young they are sometimes, but I can see a big future in Tom and he's in my plans for next season." What Colin Said 28-3-2012 - Show people what Elland Road is like “With seven games to go the only opportunity we have to get in the play-offs is by winning our home matches. “We had a fantastic turnout for the game against West Ham, and against both them and Southampton, it showed what sort of performances can be achieved with such wonderful backing. “Hopefully we can get another good crowd in for the Watford game and have another really good atmosphere, and show people what Elland Road is like.” “The fans were fantastic again at Millwall. Deary me. You look up at them and get goose pimples. It’s fabulous to have that support.” What Colin Said 24-3-2012 - I thought they gave absolutely everything "I said to them before the game, 'I don`t want anyone coming off today knowing they could give more`. I thought there were four or five lads the other night who were far away from giving 100%. "If we had got beat today I wouldn`t have complained because they gave everything. That is what you have to do for Leeds. The fans are unbelievable and if you give everything, they will give you a bit of leeway. "I thought before the game, we would not get a tougher physical game for the rest of the season and if we didn`t stand up and be counted we would get turned over, so I was really pleased with how they responded. "I thought we had to compete first and foremost. If you do not then you get turned over here and we did compete. "I thought in the end in the second half we deserved it. "I couldn`t ask anymore today, I thought they gave absolutely everything. As a manager that is all you can ask for." What Colin Said 24-3-2012 - I don't think we're good enough to get in the play-offs “I asked the players to come off the pitch knowing they could not give any more,” . “The other night they could have given a lot more. I asked for a response today and I felt they gave everything. “It’s important to bounce back from a humiliating result.” “I don’t think we’re good enough to get in the play-offs but we’ll keep fighting,”. “I think it’s too soon for us but it won’t be for the lack of trying. “I thought the atmosphere was fabulous, it wasn’t a great game but you were never going to get that here. “I like Millwall, it’s a fabulous arena for a manager - except we always seem to get cold showers afterwards.” What Colin Said 23-3-2012 - I can't ask the crowd to do any more “I can’t ask the crowd to do any more. They’ve done as well as they can. “I asked for 30,000 (against West Ham) and we got 33,000. They got behind us against Forest the other night but they can’t prevent goals going in like the ones we conceded. “I’ve got to bring something that can lift the crowd regularly because the one consistent thing about this club is the crowd. “The greatest thing about the club is the crowd, the backing and the support. You can’t change that. “It’s one aspect which most football clubs can’t even get to. I can say to you ‘if we do well, we might get 35,000’. How many other clubs could say that? Not many. That’s the plus that keeps us going.” What Colin Said 22-3-2012 - I don't think we've got enough tools in the cupboard “Without being cruel, I don’t think we’ve got enough tools in the cupboard at the moment." “I’d think there would be quite a lot of changes over the next few months. That’s how I see it. The whole club has to do that together – the chairman, the staff, everyone. We all need to pull together." “I’ve got three or four players I’d like to bring in in the summer and it’s just a matter of getting a wage bill that’s sustainable and which the chairman agrees with." “I’ve told Shaun and the chairman what I think I would need to get promotion next year. They’re quite clear in their minds that they’re going to try and provide that for me. It’s the only chance we’ve got." “I don’t want to waste a year of anybody’s time. I haven’t got a year. Everything’s been positive in our talks.” “I don’t know what’s around the corner at the moment. I don’t know whether I’m going to find a bag full of tricks or a bag full of wet, old newspapers. I haven’t got a clue." “Am I asking for consistency that some lads can’t maintain? Am I asking certain lads to do more than they can do? All these questions I’ve got to look at." “It’s a big club, Leeds, and you have to have the right mentality in place. I need a while to sort it out. I could do with two summers!” What Colin Said 22-3-2012 - Good teams don't get beaten by seven “Good teams don’t get beaten by seven. Even average teams don’t get beaten by seven. Something somewhere is wrong in our make-up." “Yes we can say we’re still going for the play-offs, but teams in the play-offs don’t lose 7-3. I’m not worried about other teams or their results. It’s about whether we can get enough points ourselves. And if we play like we did against Forest, we won’t get enough points to be anywhere near the play-offs. “It’s down to us – have we got enough goals, enough midfield bodies, enough good defenders to make it happen? There are so many questions you need to ask and every week there are more. I’m not getting too many answers if I’m being honest.” “I couldn’t see anyone coming in and changing us now, It’s pointless bringing players in for the sake of it. “You’ve really got to do your work in the summer and I’d have been looking at anyone who came in with a view to next season. We tried and a couple of deals were nearly over the line but that’s how it goes." “We’ve had a few calls as well from clubs wanting people like (Ramon) Nunez, (Billy) Paynter and (Mikael) Forssell but we’re quite thin on the ground. A couple of lads are on nine bookings until the Reading game (on Good Friday) and we’re struggling to fill the substitutes bench.” “I’m not so sure now. Not when I look at what we could change the team too." “But there are players who I’d like to have a look at before the end of the season. We can’t keep saying ‘we’re six points away’. If the results don’t go for us in the next couple of games then I’ve got to look at some of the players who are under contract next season – to give me with what I’m looking at.” “To come off a 7-3 defeat and go to Millwall takes some guts. It’s the most difficult place you can go to after a defeat like that. “But in a way it’s probably the best game for us. I’ll find out about the players now. The atmosphere at the New Den is nothing like the old Den but I do like places like that." “It doesn’t surprise me that Leeds have struggled (at Millwall) in the past and my QPR team got battered there last season. If we play like we did on Tuesday night then we’ll get turned over too. “It’s as difficult as a game could be and it’s one of those – who’ll come through with flying colours and who’ll goes under? We’ll see.” What Colin Said 22-3-2012 - The players are playing for their shirts and Saturday is an opportunity to say 'I want to stay' "Life's too short to dwell on things and you have to move on," . "In some respects Saturday is like going from the frying pan into the fire because we know what it's like there, but it's a chance for them to answer some more questions. "Looking back at Tuesday, they slipped back into their old ways. They know how I feel, and if the players want to stay they can't be slipping back into their old ways. "Tuesday was a throwback to the Doncaster game. Our strength has been our teamwork, but we were back to being individuals and not a team. "We gave away some poor goals as well and that shouldn't happen at any level." "I'm not sure there will be any changes," . "Andy O'Brien played 45 minutes in the reserves this week and Alex Bruce isn't far away, but we will be very similar. "It's an opportunity for the players to show what they've got down there on Saturday. "What's frustrated me is that if we'd been anything like ourselves we'd be right up there. Even the other night, at 3-3 I thought there was only one team going to go on and win the game… "The players are playing for their shirts and Saturday is an opportuinity to say 'I want to stay'." What Colin Said 20-3-2012 - It is not a night for rollicking "I thought first ten or fifteen minutes one or two of our players were struggling fitness wise. Becchio could hardly run. He was going to come off at half time but I asked him to give me another ten or fifteen minutes. He was really running on empty. There were three or four like that." "You learn about the team. You do not learn about a team when you beat teams, you learn about them in defeat." "I said to them after the game, if you think that was tough wait until we get down there (Millwall) on Saturday." "It is not for me to criticise individuals tonight. We get back to 3-3 and I thought we could go on and win it but the next goal is like a Sunday league school." "Without going into detail I have made it clear to the players concerned but I will keep it inside." "They were poor goals. I was disappointed with the second goal before half time. I was a real poor goal to give away." "To get like we did and have the momentum only to concede from the corner of the penalty box like we did is as poor as I have known it. "It is not a night for a rollicking. We were lacking in certain areas and the goals were poor. " "There were one or two kept going like Snodgrass and Brown. I thought Clayton was running on empty like Becchio and there were one or two others, whom I was disappointed with." "You have to look at one or two areas and store it in the memory. If we are going to get promotion, you can`t mentally go under in any position and I thought one or two did tonight. "You don`t give up. It is ironic really. You have seen tonight, we need to be rested and give us some fresh legs." "I want to give one or two an opportunity on Saturday if I can. There were many tired people out there in the first half. " "I thought in the second half the goals got us going again. To concede a fourth goal like we did is like shooting yourself in the foot." BatesRadio
What Colin Said 20-3-2012 - It's not over until the fat lady sings "Five points at this stage is quite a big gap but look at the position we have been in and the games we have had. "There is no reason why we cannot get results if we get things going our way. "Two or three good results and you are right back in it again. If we had won on Saturday, we would have been three points behind. "It`s not over until the fat lady sings." BatesRadio What Colin Said 19-3-2012 - Two of three results and you are right back in it “I think we have to win seven (matches) now. Not many teams in our league win four or five on the trot, let alone seven out of nine. So we’ve got to have pretty fantastic form and you’ve got to say we’ve got to start winning our home games. “Of our ones left, we’ve got to go for maximum points because all the away games we’ve got left are tough, for one reason or another. “You always look at that sixth position, don’t you? And I think until that’s gone beyond us, (we’ll aim for that). Five points (behind) at this stage is quite a big gap, but when you look at the positions we’ve been in and the games we’ve had, there’s no reason why we can’t get the right results if we get things going the right way. “Two or three results and you are right back in it.” “He (Robinson) was going to the LUDO (Leeds United Disabled Organisation) ‘do’ with us on Saturday night and he came to see me and I said: ‘Listen, you don’t even have to ask me (to be excused) – you don’t want to be around anyone tonight’. “Because when you have played with somebody, it’s going to be far more traumatic than anything else. “It just puts things in perspective and family, health-wise, comes first. I think Paul had a bit of a bad weekend as they all did (at Bolton). The lads that know him, it’s understandable really.” “I asked for a 30,000-plus (crowd) on Saturday, which is easier said than done, and the fans responded in a magnificent way. “I also think Elland Road under floodlights is a very special place as well. We won’t get the same amount of people, but there’s no reason why the atmosphere isn’t the same. It was rocking against Southampton.” What Colin Said 19-3-2012 - The situation that we are in "It is not just the West Ham game. I think Portsmouth and Southampton were games we should have won really. "Another six or seven points and we all know where we will have been. "It is disappointing and it will be until we know where we finish at the end of the season. "It is frustrating for me not to be closer to sixth place than what we are." "The games are running out and not many teams win five or six on the trot. We are going to have to win seven out of nine. "It is almost becoming impossible if we don`t put a run together." "The situation that we are in, I want to look at everybody if I can before the end of the season so it is difficult to loan out. "I don`t really want to loan anybody in if they are not going to get a game. "I am sure things will change over the next two or three days. If I can bring somebody in with a view to a long-term deal then I think I would bring somebody in, but for the short-term, I do not think I will. "If they are not going to get a look in, I would prefer them to go out and I can get DVD`s sent to me. I would rather them be playing than not playing. We just need to be careful whilst they have a chance. "We will have to be careful until Thursday." BatesRadio What Colin Said 18-3-2012 - It was an ampitheatre "I asked for 30,000 and we got more than that. West Ham played their part brining their quota. "It was just a fantastic atmosphere. It was almost like walking into a bullring, it was an amphitheatre." "It was a fantastic atmosphere being on the bench and everyone should be going home really happy" . "It is difficult to come out and not be disappointed when we have thrown two points away. "We can`t keep throwing points away. I think everyone knows we need to win games." "The Southampton game was even more so. We have played two good sides now and we should have taken six points. We only have one point out of it so we have to lot to learn our lesson. "We can`t throw games away like this and Southampton and we have got to learn lessons quickly. " What Colin Said 17-3-2012 - I can't ask any more, they've given me everything “I can’t ask any more, they’ve given me everything”. “I said to the referee: ‘When you watch Carlton Cole blatantly push Darren O’Dea over, you’ve got to see that’. O’Dea was going to head the ball and then you’re left with Collins against Paul Robinson and Robert Snodgrass. “He said he was concentrating on the line, but he’s got to see that. He’s headed the ball from where the foul was. “But West Ham wouldn’t have conceded a goal like that. They would have grabbed each other by the shirt and made sure they didn’t. “Since I’ve been here we should have won four out of five. We dominated Southampton and should have won today. We’ve dominated two of the best sides in the league and got one point. “You’ve got to win games like that, I can’t remember ever being this disappointed. I probably have, but I can’t remember.” What Colin Said 15-3-2012 - The noise levels have got to be lifted, all the negativity forgotten "I think before the ‘Boro game, when I was talking to them outside, they made themselves clear how much they wanted me to come in and I said to them ‘crikey, we haven’t even scored a goal yet and you’re going off like this? I don’t know what you’ll do when we start winning games’ “As a manager you absolutely love the numbers that we have, to be on your side, rather than against you. We’ve got to make that work. At home, it is an intimidating place Elland Road, and that’s what they’ve got to do. The volume, the noise levels have got to be lifted, all the negativity forgotten. “We’ve got six home matches now and they’ve got to give everything the fans. I will, as will the staff and the players, so that’s what I’m asking of the fans now – just to get behind us, as they have done since I came here. “Away from home you don’t even have to mention it. You know they’re going to fill whatever they give us, wherever we go, and we’re going to be noisy. It makes it entertaining for a manager to get that level of support. “In my local supermarket [the fans], keep coming around the corners ‘what’s he doing shopping in my supermarket?’ y’know? “I’m only an ordinary guy, but they look at me as if I’m something different. But it is good, I do like talking to the ordinary punter and I think it’s good that that’s the kind of club we are. Everybody should talk to everybody else. “I am finding there is not enough hours in the day regarding commitments. The dinners and supporters groups, there seems to be one every night, you just can’t do them all.” “On the first day I said to the chairman, ‘I’ll be disappointed, I want to make it my mission to get a 30,000 crowd against West Ham’ because I knew they’d bring 3-4,000 – because they always do – so I knew then that we’d have to give [the fans] something – like the Middlesbrough game – to whet their appetite, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. “We were all frustrated after the Southampton game, but to see the fans stay behind and clap the lads off after losing a game I think is pretty good if I’m honest. “We will find out more about the team because we’re going to be playing probably the best away team in the league, so it’ll answer a few questions.” What Colin Said 11-3-2012 - I love to see a bit of blood on a centre half's head and a bandage "I thought Michael Brown epitomised our hard work from the first kick. He chased down two or three players and ended up getting the tackle in and I thought that set us off. "I thought from then the crowd were with us and it was a great away following again, the fans never cease to amaze me." "At this level, you have to work hard. People say it is about being good defenders but defending starts with the forwards. "That is the minimum requirement, hardworking forwards. I don`t think Ross has ever worked so hard in his life but when you get your rewards, it is very pleasing. "He (Becchio) lost a tackle in the first half that annoyed me because they broke but he didn`t do much wrong today" . "Paul Robinson looked good. He hasn`t played since Christmas and he looked a little bit stiff at half time. "I told him he could come and stand with me after 75 minutes if he wanted but he looked like he had been with us all season and it rubbed off on the others". "I think you have to start at the back. In the Doncaster game, we were poor defensively if I am being honest. We had to work non-stop with the defenders and we managed to change it but then we could not score goals." "I thought today we had the complete performance. I thought we defended well and I love to see a bit of blood on a centre half`s head and a bandage and I thought he (O`Dea) did well today." "The performance is important. They have to play like that every game, whether we win or not. "It is important that we give that sort of physical part of the game. I want that sort of drive and I want it for the rest of the season." BatesRadio What Colin Said 10-3-2012 - There aren't enough hours in the day
“Browny’s been the unsung hero since I came to the club. He’s been instrumental in defending and attacking by showing a cool head. “To underline how well he’s done, if he got injured then we might struggle to replace him with the squad we have.” “His game’s changed since we were first together. Back then I gave him the freedom to get forward. Now he wouldn’t be able to get back! “But he still has a lot to offer and his contribution’s been fantastic. I also think he’s brought the best out of Adam – even though I felt Tuesday (United’s goalless draw at Hull City) was Adam’s poorest game.” “I’m speaking to the players and I’ll speak to their agents in the next few days. At the moment, there aren’t enough hours in the day. “All the players with a year or less, I need to talk to. Robert’s no different.” What Colin Said 9-3-2012 - I am looking for a certain type of player "They have responded well and I can`t ask any more than that. I said originally that has long as they gave me everything and I think that they have given me everything, then they won`t fall out with me and I don`t think anyone has given less than 100% since I came here. "I am delighted with the attitude and I think it has rubbed off on the fans who are the same. They are seeing where we are trying to go and I think they are enjoying it as well." "It is a certain type of player I am looking for, to bring into the squad and Paul Robinson fits that bill. There are two or three players in that mould, which I like. "I think we need an influx of players, probably not in numbers but in quality to give us a better chance next season. "I think we need a bit more quality in areas rather than quantity, I think we already have quantity. I am looking for that little spark that we need, which we are probably missing in certain situations and I am looking all the time now, but I am not going to give up on this year." What Colin Said 8-3-2012 - Back in training "Aidy White will train fully on Saturday after he had been doing light work. "Alex Bruce and Leigh Bromby are back in training but not fully, but I would not write Aidy off just yet." "Andy O`Brien still needs a few weeks. There was supposed to be a friendly game this week but we had to put that off. I am waiting for the physio to tell me when he is ready and he told me he is not ready yet,". "I am hoping Robbie Rogers will resume training again. He has taken a little longer than we thought it would," . BatesRadio What Colin Said 7-3-2012 - All we need is a little bit more quality “I’d love to see a goal, Off someone’s backside or something like that. It wouldn’t bother me if it was one of those freak goals. “But at the moment, the players are that busy concentrating on the other part we’ve asked them to do. Against Doncaster I thought we could easily have been 5-0 down after an hour. I’ve got to say that after the Doncaster game I could never see the defence improving – apart from by bringing in four new players at the back. “We definitely had to work on that part of our game but the other part’s gone a little bit. That won’t always be the case though. You won’t always come across goalies like we did against Southampton or miss the chances that we did in that game. “The players need to keep going and I’m ever so pleased with their effort so far. All we need is a little bit more quality and the results will start coming.” “We gave Hull a bit too much space in the first half but we sorted things out at half-time,We were much better in the second half. “If we’d picked the right pass when we had the chance then it might have been different. There were a few great breakaway opportunities for us but we always chose the wrong option. That was frustrating for me. “You have to defend from the front and I’ve been very pleased with (Luciano) Becchio. Him, (Robert) Snodgrass, (Ross) McCormack – I don’t think they’ve ever worked so hard. It’s just that in certain areas we’ve got to make better decisions, especially in the final third of the pitch. “You could see that Hull have played together for a while. They’re very solid at the back. We just needed to create more chances. At Portsmouth we had four or five great ones in the second half. We didn’t have many clear-cut chances against Hull but we could have finished better from some of knockdowns in the box. But I’m quite pleased.” What Colin Said 7-3-2012 - I might give everybody an opportunity “Young Lees was superb and he’s improved in every game,” Warnock said. “And apart from the goal on Saturday, Darren’s done everything I’ve asked of him. He got caught out for one goal but he’s done well. “I’d like to (bring new players in) and I was after a centre-half but when I look at the two I’ve got at the moment, I don’t think I could get much better than that.” “I might give everybody an opportunity, Look at someone like Paul Connolly. He’s grasped a shirt and now it’s his shirt to lose. “He told me that he didn’t think he was ever going to play for the club again so it’s good to see someone like him doing well. I couldn’t fault his performance.” What Colin Said 6-3-2012 - It would be good just to have a goal go in off someone’s backside “I think we’ve got to win on Sunday now, but whatever happens we are learning more about the players.” “We gave them a bit too much space in the first half, but we sorted things out at half-time,”. “It was frustrating in the second half because we got in some good positions but did not pick the right pass out. I can’t fault the effort of the lads though. “We defended well and we just have to make better decisions in the final third. “It would be good just to have a goal go in off someone’s backside, and we definitely have to work on that part of our game. “We have got to create more chances away from home. We didn’t have clear-cut chances tonight, and we snatched at things a bit. “But it is difficult to play on a rugby pitch. It’s so lively and unpredictable, and I don’t think it does Hull any favours either. “I’m very pleased with the effort though, and we just need a bit more quality to get more points.” What Colin Said 6-3-2012 - All the lads want to keep the shirt "We have work hard on the training ground, we do look stronger, and we had a tough game on Saturday. "We will have plenty of rest and I am glad that we have an extra day this week. "Hull played Friday and they had an extra days rest and I do think it helps at this stage, so I am glad we are playing Sunday at Middlesbrough." "They cannot work any harder and I cannot fault them really. We lacked a bit of quality in certain areas but it is difficult here on this pitch. "I thought the attitude was superb. I thought we could have done better in the first half has we did not play quick enough but in the second half I thought we did a lot better. "We got in better positions and we had two or three opportunities but we couldn`t quite finish it off. "I think goals will come, I can`t fault the attitude tonight. It is a tough place to come. You have seen Hull`s record, they do not concede many and you can see why. "I think all the lads want to keep the shirt now and long may it last." BatesRadio What Colin Said 6-3-2012 - In the trenches...next year "It is great to come in at this time of year because you have two months of intensive games to look at your players and find out about your players and to find out whether you want them in the trenches with you next year. "You can then look about and think about whom you would like to bring in next year, so I think it is a good time. "I went in at a similar time at QPR and I am looking to get some answers and I think Hull away, Middlesbrough away and West Ham at home will give me some answers." Talksport What Colin Said 5-3-2012 - You have to have the dressing room sorted in pre-season "When I went to QPR we had eight loan players training and nobody cared about the club. We cannot be having that and that is why we were nearly relegated. "You have to have players who want to wear the shirt. You looked round the dressing room on Saturday and there was disappointment but everyone of them gave everything in that game. "You have to have the dressing room sorted in pre-season. You have to have players that care. No disrespect to loan players but when the chips are down and you have to put your head in where it hurts, loan players, quite rightly so have to think about their own future. "I think once a player signs on the dotted line permanently, you care that little bit more and that is what I look for. I don`t think you can have too many loan players. "I think the loan system has to be used for an icing on the cake job when you might have two or three injuries at short notice and you get someone in to help you out in that situation, otherwise I don`t believe in it." BatesRadio What Colin Said 3-3-2012 - That's the minimum I expect in a game "That is the minimum I expect in a game. We played against the top of the league and in fairness we have battered them. It is a cruel game sometimes.
"It is now an opportunity for the lads to show some consistency now. Away from home, against a partisan crowd, I still think we can play football like we did against Southampton so I am looking forward to these games, BatesRadio What Colin Said 3-3-2012 - If I was them I would buy some lottery tickets tonight "You don`t get those decisions when you are not at the top but you do when you are top of the league. "You don't always get what you deserve, I know that from experience,". "It's whetted my appetite, though. I think the players have surprised themselves if I'm honest, not just the way we played, but the style. "Their goalkeeper could have won five man-of-the-match awards, but the finishing could have been better. "When you're top of the league, like Southampton, you get the rub of the green. We had a certain penalty at 0-0 when the lad (Jose Fonte) has put his hand up to block Snodgrass's shot. "We dominated the best side in the league for 89 minutes and that's fantastic. That is the minimum requirement what they have done today. "When I watch England play I could go to sleep, but I don't want that with my teams. I want end to end, good football and an end product. "Rickie Lambert would have had five or six if he had have played for us today." What Colin Said 2-3-2012 - By 8pm I'll be aware what the situation is "When people said to me it was a difficult month because of the opposition in those next four games, I said to them, ‘They will be difficult for the four teams we are playing against’. That is how I look at it. My lads have something to show me because they are playing for their futures. We can bring the teams above towards us by beating them. “I honestly don’t know how the race will pan out. But I do think we will know a lot more after these next four games, I really do. They are tough matches so it is time to stand up and be counted. We need to get some points on the board.” “Southampton are a team I expected to do well. They have spent a lot of money and are always looking to improve. It will be good for me to see where we are at against a team like Southampton. “It will be a good crowd, which brings a bit of pressure against the top of the league team. It has all the ingredients to let me know what we are all about. “By 8pm, I will be aware of what the situation is. I saw the Doncaster game and then Portsmouth but this is entirely different to both of them.” What Colin Said 1-3-2012 - You just have to get on with it "This week has been a disgrace with the international break. I am told we have a lad (Snodgrass) coming back from Scotland from Slovenia at 4am. "Surely, an international team can stop overnight and fly back the next day so you don`t lose your sleep pattern. I think it is ridiculous. "What can you say about friendly internationals? I am sure they will be at last banned very shortly, which is what they should be." "We are looking to bring a couple in. I think everyone knows that and Matt Mills is one of the names mentioned. We have talked to two or three clubs about a number of players. "Until there is something concrete, it does not look like anyone will be coming in before the weekend. I read stories here there and everywhere you just have to get on with it until you can get something on the dotted line." What Colin Said 25-2-2012 - Overall I thought we just shaded it "I am delighted with the attitude, the application, I thought we were fantastic. "They played a very direct game today. I don`t think I have ever seen Portsmouth play so direct. "We had to stand up and be counted and I thought it was super to get a clean sheet in my first game. "I asked them to show me what they were like at defending and I thought they came up." "The lads have surprised me today. I will take my hat off to them. "I didn`t think we could defend as well as that, a clean sheet at Portsmouth. When I watched the videos, I have to admit I did not think we would have many 0-0." "I thought we had some great chances second half in the first twenty, twenty-five minutes. One of those goals would have got us three points but it was not to be. "I thought we broke very well when we could and the goal that Ross scored was about a yard over the line and it`s a certain goal. I don`t know how the linesman has not seen that. It was so far over it was embarrassing. Having said that, I thought they should have had a penalty in the first half when Tom Lees punched the ball. The linesman on that side must have had the sun in his eyes. "I don`t think Lonergan had much to do if I am honest. I think there goalkeeper made a great save from Becchio. That was a well worked move and he did everything right and he was unlucky really. "McCormack and Snodgrass had good opportunities and overall you have got to be pleased when the lads put their heads in where it hurts and when you come to Portsmouth you have to do that. "I thought the fans response was fantastic. A full house down here for us, to bring 3,000 down here for us is a long way to come. "They started strongly, with twenty minutes gone you would have taken 0-0 but after that I thought we came into it and after half time I could only see us winning the game and fortunately, nobody touched the long throw by Halford which went in. Overall, I thought we just shaded it. " Bates Radio What Colin Said 25-2-2012 - McCormack's shot was a metre over the line “McCormack’s shot was a metre over the line. It’s embarrassing really when you see it. It’s not even close. “Apparently the television pictures here are not so good, but if they want to borrow ours, they’ll see it’s not even close. “I’ve asked the official and he said he was in line about 12 yards away. He obviously didn’t see it. “But in fairness, there was a certain handball against us in the first half and that was the same linesman. The sun was obviously causing a problem out there.” What Colin Said 23-2-2012 - If he doesn't want to play for Leeds United, we don't want him “I’ve lost Townsend. “His agent told me he didn’t like it here, he wasn’t happy, and he hadn’t settled. “I’ve heard that Birmingham want to sign him, I don’t know if that’s got anything to do with it. “I’m disappointed because we’ve lost a player, but I don’t want people who don’t want to be here so good riddance I say if that’s what he wants to do." “I had no idea he was going to go back. “I changed the system last weekend and he scores. I tell him he’s going to play in that role then his agent calls me to say he isn’t happy, hasn’t been happy here for weeks and wants to go. “I said ‘I don’t suppose it’s anything to do with Birmingham City wanting him is it?’ “We’ll have to see where he goes. But I don’t want anybody who doesn’t want to play for the club. As far as I’m concerned, if you don’t want to play for the club then you’re better off out the way. “You need drive and that’s what I ask of my players. That’s why with Townsend, it’s his loss. He’s missed out, not us. If he doesn’t want to play for Leeds United, we don’t want him.” What Colin Said 20-2-2012 - I've never been so popular “I’ve never been so popular – which is unusual for me, It’s nice to be wanted and I just felt Leeds were the right club at this moment, with what they were looking for and what I was looking for. “I’ve not slept for about three days. I thought I was going one place one day and then I was in Monaco, talking to the chairman. He was very positive and I think he understood where I was coming from as well. Rather than delaying things, we decided to get it done. “We were going to leave things for a couple of days but I felt it was important, if I was coming, to be there for Doncaster and have an input against Doncaster. I’m glad I was there. “Usually when you come in as a manager, you say it’s going to take you two or three years to build the club. I haven’t got two or three years so I don’t want that. That’s what I said to the players on Saturday – the situation is we have to beat Doncaster Rovers, there’s nothing else about it.” “It was a shame really, I was just starting out in my career and I thought London, or going down below Watford – well, I didn’t think anyone lived or survived down there. “I went twice and got stopped on the motorway for four hours on both occasions. I wasn’t really into that. Also, the lads at Notts County put a lot of pressure on me to stay and help them out because we’d got two promotions in two years, and I felt morally obliged to do so. “I think Ken appreciated that but he was surprised when I turned the offer down. Over the years a number of people told me how stupid I was but I always do stupid things. When I left Notts County I went to Torquay for 17 games and they were bottom of the league! I’m not a predictable person. “I just love putting a smile on people’s faces and in the last few years I’ve done well with Crystal Palace and Queens Park Rangers. They were both clubs who needed a bit of a lift and I gave them that. Leeds are in a similar situation.” “There’s a lot said about that, When I took over at Crystal Palace the headlines were: me and Simon Jordan, it’s just impossible. It’s the same thing with Ken Bates. “But the thing about (Bates) is that you look at the good things and the bad things. I think he does a lot of good things and I’m not trying to creep round him by saying that. But there are times when you need to tell him what you think is right for the club and he’s got to listen. “We have that relationship where I respect him and he respects me, and we’re both at an age where we want to do well. Make no mistake about that. I think we excite each other. “At my age you haven’t got that long left. I enjoy managing and as long as I keep on enjoying it then I’ll manage. If I don’t enjoy it, I’ll call it a day. The difference is having the drive and I wanted a club that sends hairs up my back. I can’t remember jumping as high as I did for the third goal (against Doncaster).” “It needed something like this at the club, looking from the outside, You have to have a leader. It’s such a massive club. Neil Redfearn did a really good job in holding the fort but I think Neil was quite relieved (to see Warnock appointed) at the same time. “The pleasing thing for me was listening to TV stations and radio stations, and listening to what the fans thought about me. It was instrumental in me thinking it was the right move. It’s nice to be wanted and I don’t know many fans – there will be a few – who weren’t pleased to see me here. That’s great and I’ve got an opportunity to repay people like that. “The club itself must be one of the top half-a-dozen in the country. There’s no local rivals, it’s just a one club city. They’ve got every ingredient they need. “I really enjoyed myself at QPR and it broke my heart when I left but it was a similar situation. The fans said ‘we didn’t really want you, Warnock, but we’re glad you’ve come.’ The Yorkshire people are like that. They appreciate straight people and I feel I’ve got something to contribute to the club. The challenge is there.” What Colin Said 19-2-2012 - Leeds just felt right “I have never been as popular, which is quite unusual for me. “Last week I spoke to four clubs (including Leeds), while since then I have also had another couple on the phone asking if I was still available. “I am not blowing my own trumpet but there aren’t a lot of good managers around and it is difficult for clubs to get the right fit. “To me, Leeds just felt right whereas when talking to the others there were one or two things that didn’t. “What I liked when I spoke to the chairman (Bates) was that he didn’t say, ‘Let’s talk about the possibility of becoming manager’. “Instead, he made it clear on the phone before we even met that he wanted me to come here. “Where the others wanted to interview me and talk about this and that, Ken just said, ‘We know each other, come over (to Monaco) and we’ll sort things out’. I just thought to myself, ‘That’s how you do business’. “Having said all that, the biggest thing for me was the fans. It is not the financial situation because I am on a lot less than I was on (at QPR) but instead the potential to work with a 30,000 crowd. The thought makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “I remember coming to Elland Road when Manchester United played there once and I had never seen or heard anything like it. The crowd was magnificent. “I have been back a few times to watch games and it always amazes me just how many fans keep turning up no matter how well the team is doing. That is true support. “The place was rocking in the final 20 minutes on Saturday and you can’t tell me that the players weren’t inspired by that. In fact, sitting here with you in this office 24 hours on, I have got goosebumps. “Everyone got behind the team and they dragged a win out of a defeat.” “When Sheffield United won 4-0 at Elland Road (in 2005), I went to see him (in the boardroom). Then, when Leeds beat my Crystal Palace team 4-0 a couple of years later I went to see him again. “I thought I owed him that bit of happiness. Things like that, he appreciates. I am not someone who just pops up when things are going well. “When I took over at Crystal Palace, the headlines were all about how me and Simon Jordan couldn’t work together. But we did. “The thing about the chairman is that I think he does a lot of good things. That is not me trying to creep round him and there will be times when I’ll have to tell him what I feel is right for the club and he’ll have to listen. “But we have that relationship where he respects me and I respect him.” “I have worked with Leigh Bromby and Michael Brown before, while in the past I have tried to sign (Billy) Paynter and (Lloyd) Sam when he was doing well at Charlton. “There are two or three who haven’t been in the picture recently who know they have an opportunity now. It will be interesting to see how they react to that. “I think I can get a lot out of Becchio too, if I am honest. I told him before the game, ‘Can you remember how you played against (Warnock’s) Crystal Palace in that (Carling) Cup game?’ He won every header that night. “He said ‘yes’ so I asked him to do the same against Doncaster. His finish to beat Doncaster was special and I think the fans will see a difference in him, as will be the case with one or two players.” What Colin Said 18-2-2012 - Back to Basics "I wanted to get Snodgrass in the hole somehow so we talked about what we were going to do with Andros Townsend etcetera and I thought we played a lot better with this system. We let them go all over the show and I thought Browny (Michael Brown) did well when he came on, if I am honest, apart from his first touch. I told Snodgrass at half time, we have to get you in the hole, because if you are a good team you put two men on him. He is the best player on the pitch and we have to get him in an area where he has the ball. Little things like corners defending, we have everybody back first half. We might as well have two or three on the half way line, it is just the basics really. They are very keen, they listen, and it won`t do them any harm today because they have won a game that really we should have got beat in had they got the third goal had of gone in. Four or five days training next week will help. There are a lot of little basics. They are little things like; we have three men back when we are attacking. If we have one marking one, we only need two back, we could put an extra man in their box." |
What Colin Said 2-4-2013 - Off the roller-coaster, but I'm not finished with management yet |
